2 Definite Proportions. 
one of oxygen. These elements, when fired ss amie imme- 
diately combine and form the liquid; and if there be an ex- 
cess of either of them, so much of that Fore dient will re- 
main after the water is formed. sein same holds true with 
every chemical compound what 
Proposition 2. The patti axes of any number 
of alkaline, earthy, or metallic bases, required to saturate a 
given quantity of any acid, are always in the same ratio to 
d soever they be applied. For exam- 
of soda will: saturate ‘as much of the acid as cathe parts of 
ash. ‘The meaning of the proposition is, that the same 
ake will hold good with respect to all the other acids: in all ca- 
ses, two parts of soda will saturate as much of an acid as three 
of potas 
one acid, as the sulphuric, we know of course the respective 
quantities of each required for any other acid, as the nitric, 
the muriatic, and fifty others. If I ascertain by experiment 
that it takes two ounce: of soda to neutralize a certain por- 
tion of nitric acid, I know without an peecrment that it 
will take three ounces of potash to do it; because a previous 
eee of these two bases to sulphuric acd; showed that 
ratio of their saturating power was as two to three.— 
Moreover, the same rule holds true with regard to all the 
bases. If I apply them all to a certain portion of one acid, 
I ascertain, by experiment, the respective quantities of each 
required to neutralize it. I then proceed to another acid, 
suppose the nitric. Here I have only one experiment to per- 
form, namely, to ascertain how much of one of the bases it 
other bases to do it, because the previous application of them 
all to the sulphuric acid » had taught me the ratio of their 
xperin 
the acids, and of one of the bases to all the acids, and our 
— is done. Suppose that we have 50 acids and 100 
consisting of alkalies, earths and metals. We must 
— first, each of the bases to one of the acids, which would 
imply 100 experiments; and, secondly, one of the bases to 
