1 70 On ike Atomic Theori/. 



extricated from It by a sufficient quantity of muriatic acid, so 

 that the space it occupies may be marked upon the tube. 



" Next let four grains of the same carbonate be exposed for a 

 short time to a red heat, and it will be found to have parted 

 with exactly half its 'gas ; for the gas extricated from it in the 

 same apparatus will be found to occupy exactly the same space, 

 as the quantity before obtained from two grains of fully saturated 

 carbonate *. 



*' A similar experiment may be made with a saturated car- 

 bonate of soda, and with the same result ; for this also becomes 

 a true semi-carbonate by being exposed for a short time to a 

 red heat." 



There can be nothing novel in those observations of Dr. Wol- 

 lastou. The same may be seen in my Comparative View, pages 

 40 and 41. In explaining a diagram representing an atom of 

 sulphuric acid with its two particles of oxygen united to one par- 

 ticle of sulphur, with numbers expressive of the force of their 

 union, I observed that if one of the particles of oxygen were re- 

 moved, the other would become more strongly united; and 

 when the second particle was again restored, the force of union 

 would be diminished as the quantum of attraction of the particle 

 of sulphur would be divided equally between them. — Here fol- 

 lows an extract in continuation of the above explanation f. 



'^ This seems to be a general law: all bodies unite with greater 

 force to half the quantity of those substances to which they havd 

 -an affinity than to the entire. Instance ; carbonate of potash 

 will part with a portion of its carbonic acid in a moderate degree 

 of heat, yet it requires a very strong heat to expel the whole. 

 In like manner crystallized sulphate of potash will part with 

 most of its water in a heat below ignition, but it requires a strong 

 red heat to drive away the entire of its water. Thus we find in 

 proportion as the potash is deprived of one part nf its carbonic 

 acid, its power of retaining the remainder is increased: and the 

 same holds good as to the expulsion of water from the salt. I 

 shall forbear mentioning several other circumstances of the like 

 nature." 



The Doctor should at least glance at the work in which those 

 important ideas first originated, and not attribute the princi- 

 ples on which they are founded to an author who cannot have 

 the smallest pretensions to them. 



It is very well known that I have done much for the antiphlo- 

 gistic theory, that I have fixed it upon a more solid foundation 



* It would be very difficult to hit upon the degree of heat to ascertain the 

 products so accurately as the Doctor describes. 



f See Essay on my Atomic Theory and Electrical Phaenomena, page 64, 

 or Comp. View, pages 40-11. 



than 



