230 Scientific InteUigence. [March, 



When it comes in contact with an integrant particle of water,, 

 the hydrogen of the water combines with the chlorine, and the 

 oxygen with the phosphorus, constituting muriatic acid and 

 phosphorous acid. Now water is composed of 



Oxygen 1-000 



Hydrogen 0-125 



When an integrant particle of protochloride of phosphorus 

 comes in contact with an integrant particle of water, a double 

 decomposition takes place, and there are formed 



1, An integrant particle of muriatic acid composed of 



Chlorine 4-500 



Hydrogen 0-125 



2. An integrant particle of phosphorous acid composed of 



Oxygen 1-0 



Phosphorus 1-5 



Thus it is not possible that phosphorous acid can be a com- 

 pound of any thing else than 



1 atom phosphorus = 1-5 or 100 



1 atom oxygen = 1-0 ()6^ 



even from the very experiment upon which Berzelius has founded 

 his opinion. 



I do not expect that the preceding train of reasoning will be 

 viewed as satisfactory by Berzelius. His notions respecting the 

 atomic theory are so different from mine, as are likewise his 

 opinions respecting the composition of muriatic acid, that we 

 differ entirely in the original data from which we respectively set 

 out ; but I think they will be admitted to be perfectly satisfac- 

 tory by every one who has imbibed accurate notions respecting 

 the atomic theory, and who is acquainted with the present state 

 of the science. 



Professor Berzelius will, I hope, forgive me for expressing my 

 regret at the unfortunate opinions which he has adopted respect- 

 ing the laws to which chemical combinations are subjected. 

 These opinions have been the result of an almost infinite number 

 of experiments, conducted with the most minute attention to 

 precision ; and they have been deduced with exquisite address 

 as the final results of these experiments. No person can have 

 a greater admiration for the talents and industry of this illustrious 

 chemist than I myself have ; and no one is more fully sensible of 

 the numerous obligations under which chemistry hes to his 

 sagacity and unrivalled analytical skill ; yet I have not the 

 smallest doubt that the fundamental opinions by which all his 

 conclusions are regulated are inconsistent with the true chemical 

 laws of nature 



