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LXIX. The Bakerian Lecture. On some of the Combinations 
of Oxymuriatic Gas and Oxygen, and on the chemical 
Relations of these Principles to inflammable Bodies. 
By Houmeury Davy, Esq. LL.D. Sec. RS. PRS. EB. 
M.R.I_A. and M.R.1* 
1. Introduction. 
Tx the last communication which T had the honour of pre- 
senting to the Royal Society, I stated a number of facts, 
which inclined me to believe, that the body improperly 
called in the modern nomenclature of chemistry, oxymu- 
riatic acid gas, has not as yet been decompounded; but 
that it is a peculiar substance, elementary as far as our know- 
ledge extends, and analogous in many of its properties to 
oxygen gas. ; he asia per 
My objects in the present Jecturé, are to detail a number 
of experiments which I have made for the purpose of illus- 
trating more fully the nature, properties, and combinations 
of this substance, and its attractions for inflamimable bodies, 
some general ‘views and! conclusions Concéerning the chemi- 
cal powers of different species of matter, and the proportions 
in which they enter into union. ©” : 
I have been almost constantly employed, since the last 
session of the Society, upon these researches, yet this time 
has not been sufficient to enable me to approach to any thing 
complete in the investigation. But on subjects important 
both in their connexion with the higher departments of 
chemical philosophy, and with the economical applications 
of chemistry, I trust that even these imperfect labours will 
not be wholly unacceptable, f 
. as compared -with those of oxygen ; and va to present 
i=] 
2. On the Combinations of Oxymuriatic Gas and Oxygen 
with the Metals from the fixed Alkalies. 
_ The intensity of the attraction of potassium for oxymu- 
riatic gas, is shown by its spontaneous inflamination in 
' that substance, and by the vividness of the combustion. 1 
satisfied myself, by various minute experiments, that no wa- 
ter is separated in this operation, and that the proportions 
of the compound ‘are such that one grain of potassium ab- 
sorbs about 1°1 cubical inch of oxymuriatic gas at the mean 
temperature and pressure, and that they form a neutral com~ 
pound, which undergoes no change by fusion. I used, in 
* From the Philosophical Transactions for 1811, Part 1. 
Vol, 37, No. 158, June 1811. Ce the 
