326 On.the Fallacy of the Experiments in which Water is said 
rience, and consequently useful discoveries.. In 1796 and two 
following years he published his ‘ Researches on combustion, the 
action of medicines on the animal body, on phosphorus, and ful- 
minating bodies, saccharic acid considered as a reagent, con- 
venient apparatus for making carbonated and other mineral wa- 
ters, on fulminating gold, on the difference between oxygen and 
- termoxygen, process for making mosaic gold, on urinary calculi, 
description of a compound still to obtain brandy and alcohol at 
the same time ; on ammoniure of cobalt, and an acid in zaffre, 
method of obtaining crystallized oxymuriate of lead and of calo- 
mel without corrosive sublimate, on ethers, albumen, ammo- 
niures of mercury and zine,’ Ann. vols. 10-22. In 1800, he 
- again published ‘A table of the modern chemical nomenclature,’ 
which occasioned some controversy: but his principal exertions 
were directed to galvanic experiments during this and the two 
following years, Among the papers, however, which he published 
during this period, may be mentioned his ‘ Observations on vesi- 
cular vapours suspended in air at the freezing temperature, on 
the conyersion of fixed oils into wax, sensibility of plants, a de- 
tonating oxymuriate of lead, and on the phosphorism of animal 
bodies.’ In the Memoirs of the Italian Institute for 1806, ap- 
peared his ‘ Observations on the identity of some new characters 
of carbon with those of the metals,’ which have since been so 
amply illustrated. Many other memoirs and translations of che- 
mical and medical works issued from his pen; and his country- 
men now begin to appreciate more justly his merits as a philo- 
sopher; when they can no longer enjoy his amiable character as 
aman. Fortunately for them and the friends of science, his son 
and successor pursues with success the noble career of his father ; 
and Brugnatelli’s Journal, almost the only scientific periodical 
work at present published in Italy, may continue to be the ve- 
hicle of new discoveries in the arts and sciences, to enlighten and 
instruct some of the most ingenious, friendly and good-natured 
people in the world. 
LIV. On the Fallacy of the Experiments in which Water is said 
to have been formed by the Decomposition of Chlorine. By 
Sir H. Davy, LL.D. F.R.S.* 
So ME experiments have been lately communicated to the Royal 
Society of Edinburgh, from which it has been inferred, that water 
is formed during the action of muriatic acid gas on certain me- 
tals, and consequently, that chlorine is decomposed in this ope- 
ration, 
* From the Philosophical Transactions for 1818, Part I. 
In 
