Formation cf muriatic Acid by Galvaniam. 181 



*' TIF. Hydrogen is susceptible of very many and dif- 

 ferent degrees of oxidation, contrary to what is universaJly 

 believed by pneumatic chemists, who assert that hydrogen 

 is susceptible only of one invariable degree of oxidation, 

 that in which it forms water. 



" Having at first examined the phsenomenon of the de- 

 composition of water bv the Galvanic pile, and having, by 

 accurate experiments, ascenamed the true theory, I readily 

 discovered a very simple and exact apparatus, in which I 

 could distinctly perceive the changes which happen to water, 

 which, from the continued action of the Galvanic pile, is 

 continually losing its oxvgen at the surface of a wire of very 

 pure gold inmiersed in it. 



" I therefore proceeded to examine these gradual changes 

 of water thus losing its oxygen; and I at last observed a 

 very singular fact, which une(]uivocally indicated the forma- 

 tion of an acid. In other antecedent experiments I had ex- 

 amined the nature of the air obtained before arriving at this 

 remarkable point, and I always found, by means of the eu- 

 diometer of Giobert, that it was very pure oxygen *, as the 

 residuum scarcely amounted to one-sixtieth. 



" Having thus examined the nature of the air formed in 

 various experiments from the first moment of decomposi- 

 tion, until there were evident indications of the formation 

 of an acid, I began to endeavour to determine, in a moxe 

 positive manner, the existence and nature of this acid. 



*' When the water, or, to speak more accurately, the 

 residual fluid, occupied about half the capacity of the re- 

 ceiver, which at first contained the water, this residual fluid 

 presented the following characters : 



*' Its colour was an orange yellow, more or less deep^ 

 according as the bulk of the residual liquor was greater or 

 less, and it resembled in appearance a true solution of gold. 



" I'Vom the inferior orifice of the vessel, wliich was closed 

 with a piece of taffety, and then with double bladder, there, 

 escaped a smell which was easily recognised to be that of 

 oxygenated muriatic acid. 



*' The gold wire had in part lost its metallic lustre, and 

 its surface appeared as if corroded by a solvent. 



" The bit of tafiety which had been in contact with the 

 coloured fluid, in consequence of its action, was easily torn, 



• In all experiments \vc are acquainted with, hydrogen gas was al- 

 ways evolved ; but aj we have no information concerning the arrangement 

 of professor Pacchioni*.> app.iratus, we cannot adduce this fact as conclusive 

 against ihe accuracy of hU experiments. — \ot€ uf tha Editon o/lhi Edviiurgh 

 Mediiui Jvurnat, 



M 3 as 



