123 
Remarks on Dr. PriEstTLey’s Experi- 
ments and Observations relating to the Ana- 
lysis of Atmospherical Arr, and his Consider- 
ations on the Doctrine of Phlogiston and the 
_ Decomposition of Water. By TuEoruitus 
Lewis Rupp. 
BE high rank of Dr. Priestley in the philoso- 
phical world entitles his writings to the greatest atten- 
tion; and, it is with much diffidence I venture to lay 
before this society a few observations on a late pub- 
lication of this gentleman, entitled “ Experiments 
and Observations relating to the Analysis of At- 
mospherical Air; and Considerations on the Doc- 
trine of Phlogiston and the Decomposition of Wa- 
ter.” 
The general arguments in support of the new 
chemical theory, and against the doctrine of phlo- 
giston are so well known; and (to judge by their 
effect) so well understood, as to require neither re- 
petition nor elucidation. I shall therefore confine 
myself to the consideration of the particular argu- 
ments contained in that publication. 
The intention of the first part of it is to shew, that ° 
in every case of the diminution of atmospherical 
air, which the antiphlogistians ascribe to simple ab- 
