360 Prof. Coniiel on the Voltaic Decomposition of Solutions. 



In regard to sal-ammoniac, I found tliat it was resolved 

 into acid anil alkali in the above circumstances, a result 

 showing that in solution at least it is simple muriate oF am- 

 monia, and cannot justly he regarded as chloride of ammonium. 

 The same reasoning above applied to the results with com- 

 mon haloids, can be readily extended to the hypothetical 

 chloride of ammonium ; and to complete the evidence on this 

 point, 1 found that a solution of muriate of ammonia yielded 

 the definite quantity of hydrogen from the negative pole. 



The experiments with a positive zinc pole lead to the same 

 result, at least when taken in conjunction with those showing 

 that ihe haloids, if viewed as existing as such in solution, are 

 not directly decomposed. The oxide of zinc which is dis- 

 solved and transferred, niust have been taken up by acid 

 which had been previously drawn to the positive side. 



The analogy of the action with a positive zinc pole in al- 

 coholic solutions of haloid salts, as formerly described, leads 

 by similar reasoning to the view, that in moderately strong so- 

 lutions of that description also, such as that of chloride ot li- 

 thium, iodide of potassium, and moderately saturated alco- 

 holic solutions of chloride of calcium, the haloid decomposes 

 the water of the alcohol, and exists in solution as an oxysalt. 

 Many phaenomena of the voltaic action on such solutions will 

 thus receive a more ready explanation than on the idea of 

 these salts being dissolved as haloids ; such as the appearance 

 of alkalies and earths at the negative pole, which v;ill thus re- 

 sult directly from the decomposition of a hydracid, instead of 

 supposing the secondary action of the hydrogen and reaction 

 of the metal on water. 



We cannot easily get the same evidence on this subject by 

 the method applied to aqueous solutions, of placing the poles 

 in water beyond the solution, because, from the inferior con- 

 ducting power of the alcoholic solution, less acid will be se- 

 parated if it truly exist in the liquid, and we cannot distin- 

 guish whether it may not come from the })oint of junction of 

 the alcoholic solution with the water in which the poles are 

 placed. 



If alcohol dissolves haloid salts as hydracid salts, there can 

 be little doubt that pyroxylic spirit does the same : I incline 

 to think that the greater solvent powers of the latter fluid than 

 the former in regard to some substances, such as barytes, are 

 due to its greater absolute quantity of water, although not 

 greater atomic proportion. 



V. On the Conditcting Poiaers of Solutions. — Without going 

 the length of holding that the additional conducting powers 



