On phlogiston. >^-^y 



Section ll. 



Of the Solution of Iron in the diluted Sulphuric and Muriatic 

 Acids. 



The next thing which engages the attention of Dr. 

 Prieftley, is the folution of iron, in the diluted fulphuric 

 and muriatic acids. 



The queftion to be decided is, whether the hydrogenous 

 gas which is produced, comes from the iron, or from the 

 water which the acids contain. 



The antiphlogiftic chemifts contend, that it comes from 

 the water, for the following reafons. 



Firft. If concentrated fulphuric acid is boiled upon iron 

 filings, fulphureous gas is produced, but no inflammable 

 air, and the fulphuric acid fuffers a decompofition and a 

 lofs in weight. 



Secondly, if the fulphuric acid is digefled upon iron in 

 the cold, it remains in a quiefcent ftate, but the inftant 

 water is added, a violent adlion enfues, accompanied by a 

 difcharge of hydrogenous gas. 



Thirdly. They believe that the hydrogenous gas comes 

 from the water, becaufe no Inflammable air, can be pro- 

 duced from Iron without water, and the hydrogenous gas 

 obtained is in ftrI(S proportion to the water, which the 

 acids contain. 



Fourthly. They believe, water is decompofed ia diflblv* 

 ing iron in the diluted fulphuric acid, that its oxygen cal- 

 cines the metal, while its hydrogen efcapes, and that the 

 acid a£ls upon the calcined metal without being decompof- 

 ed, for it will faturate as much alkali, after the procefs of 

 folution, as it did before. 



Fifthly. They prove that water is compofed of oxygen 

 and hydrogen. 



Dr. Prieftley's objedion to this explanation is, that as 

 one hundred parts of water, according to the advocates of 



3 O the 



