F 



OK THS KATURF. OF OXtMURIATiC AClt>» 308 



•f demonstration, I do not understand ; at least I do not per- 

 ceive how this detinitiou applies to the proposition, that 

 •ximuriatic acid will not combine with charcoal. Could 

 Mr. Davy discover even a supposition by which this fact 

 could be explained, I have little doubt that he viouUi 

 gladly remove it from the class of axiomt?, and from the fa- 

 cility with which he admits so many other suppositions, 

 that he would submit it even to some degree of torture, to 

 kend it into conformity with the system. 



On the fact with regard to the influence of water in fa- A^ionofwa- 

 vouring the disenga^^cment of carbonic at id from bases j^g j^e^volu* 

 with which it is combined, it is scarcely necesssry to make tionof carbo 

 any observation. I wai» aware, that it might operate by its 

 affinity to the base, for I had suggested this some years ago, 

 in the discusi>ion of the question with regard to the influence 

 •f water on the constitution of elastic fluids, in my chemi- 

 cal system. But it farther appeared to me probable, that it 

 ♦perates hkewite by its affinity to the acid, as there is rea« 

 «on I think to suspect, that the agency of water is important 

 with regard to all acids. It is still however a casein point, 

 since it is an example of the powerful agency of water in 

 modifying affinities, and of a decomposition not being c*a- 

 pable of being effected unless it be supplied ; as well as a 

 proof that a body, whether it be an earth or an acid, cannot 

 be obtained insulated from its combinations, unless it receive 

 the portion of water which it requires. 



The argument, that from the strong affinity of muriatic Some watc 

 acid to water a portion of it will be retained in combination rejai-p^ »" 

 with it in the elastic btate, I hold valid, notwithstanding the -„ from its 

 reply, that muriatic acid does not exist as a gas in com- Pf»w^^»'} -^- 

 bination with different proportions of water, *'forthepro- 

 portion of hidrogen gas produced from muriatic acid gas, 

 acted on by different metals, is always the same, whether it has 

 been exposed to the influence of drying salts or not." The 

 inference which would render this reply conclusive does not 

 fallow; admitting that muriatic acid gas cannot exist with 

 different proportions of water, the only inference then 

 would be, that muriatic acid gas obtained by the usual me- 

 thods is in as dry a state as we can obtain it insulated. But 

 I <4aubt altojfcther the alleged fact; fur Dr. Henry found 



