of definite Proportions in Chemical Affinity. 117 
more of acid; so there were 2 parts of potassa 24 grains each, 
and six equivalent parts of acid 15 grains each ; which ought, as 
above stated, to form a salt of 3 of acid to 1 of alkali. But upon 
crystallization he found 2 salts, the one a binoxalate, the other 
a quadroxalate, or one of alkali to 4 of acid. 
To make this answer to the theory of Dalton, the Doctor , 
supposes the neutral salt to consist of 2 of alkali to 1 of acid, 
and the next 2 to 2, and the third | to 2, or 2 of alkali to 4 of 
acid. This is altogether hypothetical; and, as Dr. Wollaston ob- 
serves, it is far from satisfactory that the alkali should be in ex- 
cess in the neutral salt. 
Although this appears against Mr. Dalton’s theory, it is equally 
so to the Jaw of Berthollet, that the combinatious of bodies are 
as their relative attractions and acting masses : for, Why in that 
case are the salts above mentioned formed? The alkali ought 
_ to be diffused equally, and a salt consisting of 3 to 1 obtained. 
Dr. Wollaston thinks it is probable that other ratios will be 
found, arising from the shape and ‘polarity of the atoms, than the 
simple arithmetical. 
Gay-Lussac has attempted to form a theory departing from 
the strict principles of Berthollet’s views of affinity and those of 
Dalton. He thinks chemical affinity may be indefinitely exerted 
amongst the particles of matter, and compounds may be formed 
of variable proportions ; but that insolubility, cohesion, and elas- 
ticity have a tendency to produce fixed combinations ; and also 
that chemical action takes place with energy when the elements 
are in simple ratios, or some multiple of these ratios, by which 
compounds are produced that can be easily insulated. 
By this means he endeavours to explain the phenomena at- 
tending chemical affinity; that bodies can unite in determinate’ 
proportions, and that under certain circumstances they unite ac- 
cording to the quantity of attracting matter, and form com- 
pounds of variable relations: and a view of this kind has been 
in some measure adopted by Berthollet. With respect to the 
combinations of the gases, Gay-Lussac has observed two laws. 
1. That they combine in proportions having simple ratios ac- 
cording to their volume. 2, ‘That gases by combination appear 
to suffer a contraction in volume in a simple ratio to the gas 
added. After having stated many examples of his first law, he 
also adds, that between the elements of the first combination 
there is no simple ratio; but this takes place in the second com- 
bination, when the new proportion will be a multiple of that first 
added. This, as Mr. Murray observes in his System of Che- 
mistry, from which I have taken this outline of Gay-Lussac’s 
theory, distinguishes his from that proposed by Dalton. To these 
‘speculations of Gay-Lussac, Mr. Dalton has replied in the Ap- 
H3 pendix 
