176 Correspondence on the Sulject of the uncomlined 



The action or muriatic acid on the combinations of the 

 different metals and chlorine will, I have little doubt, afford, 

 when more niiiuitely investigated, explanations of many 

 phenomena which are not yet well accounted lor. Before 

 I conclude, 1 shall mention only one instance to which it 

 already appears to be applicable. M. Proust has observed 

 the decomposition of calomel by boiling muriatic acid, and 

 its conversion into corrosive sublnnate and rui';ning mer- 

 cury. Now calomel being insoluble in muriatic acid, these 

 changes evidently appear to be owing to the ?trong attrac- 

 tion of the acid for corrosive sublimate, which has been 

 already shown to exist. 



XXXIT. A CorrespoJidence letiveen Dr. Bostock and 

 Dr. Marckt, on the Suljecl of the uncomLincd Alkali 

 in the Animal Fluids. 



To Mr. Tillocli. ' 



Sir, X HE attention which I have for some time paid to 

 the subject of animal chemistry, caused me to read with 

 much interest the controversy, which was carried on 

 through the niedium of your Journal, betweeii Dr. Pearson 

 and Dr. Marcet, respecting the nature of the uncombined 

 alkali in the serum of the blood. I was induced to make 

 a considerable number of experiments up-on the subject, the 

 result of which had led me to decide in favour of Dr. Pear- 

 son's opinion ; but having coniraunicated mv doubts to 

 Dr. Marcet, he repeated and extended his former experi- 

 ments in such a manner as, i think, firmly to establish ihe 

 fact, that the alkali is soda. The detail of these experi- 

 ments, as contained in the following letter of Dr. Marcet 

 to me, I have his consent to transmit to you for publica- 

 tion, and I believe you will agree with me in the opinion 

 that they musi entirely set the question at rest. 

 I am, sir. 



Your obedient servant. 

 Knot's Hole Bank, near Liverpool, (Sijined) J. BoSTOCK. 



Aug. 22, 1812. ^ *= ' 



Dr. Marcet to Dr. Bostock. 



"Loudon, August 19. 18)2. 



" My DEAR Friewd, — T FEEL much indebted to you 

 lor the remarks you have made, and the doubts you have 

 expressed in some of your last letters to me, respecting the 

 nature of the uncombir.cd alkali in the incinerated salts of 



serum ; 



