^96 ^N '^'^^ NATURE OF OXIMURIATIC ACID. 



hypothetical, is the supposing thi? opinion to be a theory in 

 the strict sense of the term. In stating* the grounds of this 

 opinion, he exposes too very clearly the source of his errcur. 

 Mr. Davy, he remarks, *' combines oximnriaticacid E^as with 

 hidrogen gas, and forms muriatic acid gas. In his theory, 

 itiuriatic acid gas is a compound of oximuriatic gas and 

 hidrogen. He combines oximuriatic gas with sulphur, 

 phosphorus, and the metals ; and in his theory the resulting 

 substances are compounds of the inflammable and metallic 

 bodies respectively, and oximuriatic gas. Here we per- 

 ceive no supposition, but a simple expression of facts, and 

 this I humbly conceive is pure and genuine theory." It is 

 of n)ain importance Mr, Davy also remarks, "that expres- 

 sion of facts be not misrepresented. It is of great conse- 

 quence that things be not termed notions, that theory be 

 not considered as speculation." 

 Simple enun- The proper expression of the above facts is, that from the 

 I'acts^ mutual action of oximuriatic gas and hidrogen, muriatic 



acid gas is obtained, that from the mutal action of oximu- 

 riatic gas and inflammables, or metals, such and such sub- 

 stances are formed. That muriatic acid is acompound of oxi- 

 muriatic gas with hidrogen, or that these substances are 

 i^ompounds of oximuriatic gas with the respective metais or 

 inflammables, are inferences, which may be true, or may be 

 Infff^ncrt^e- false. They appear no doubt to be the most direct infer- 

 these may or cuces, but the most obvious and direct conclusion from an 

 may not be experiment may not always be the j«st one. The shortest 

 *'"^' Way of convinfciiig Mr. J. Davy of this will be to state to 



him in the very form of expression, which he employs in 

 the above quotation, conclusions which he cannot admit. I 

 Combine, 1 may say, oxide of mercury and muriatic acid, 

 and form calomel. I conclude therefore, that calomel is a 

 Compound of muriatic acid and oxide of mercury. 1 com- 

 bine muriatic acid and potash, and by dissipation of the 

 Water 1 obtain a solid product, which 1 consider as a com- 

 i)6und of the mui-iatic acid and potash : and I perceive in 

 these conclusions no supposition, but a simple expression of 

 facts. Mr. Davy will in this however soon correct me, and 

 inform me not tnerely that they are suppoaitionSjbut conclu*. 

 Sions HllOgether fijlse. He will perceivje therefore, that the 



inference 



