1819.] Acids, Alkalies, and llieir Compounds. 285 



sistent with the general view which has been given of the state 

 of a neutral compound, and can scarcely be supposed to exist 

 with regard to one case, when the reverse is maintained with 

 regard to others. 



At the same time, the relation of 100 of sulphur to 200 of 

 oxygen is fully established in common sulphuric acid. Whether 

 it is necessary to admit that of 100 to 50, except on the atomic 

 hypothesis, is not apparent, but it is not improbable. 



The same view may be applied to the illustration of the acids 

 of which carbon is the radical. I have remarked in the preced- 

 ing paper, that the vegetable acids are to be regarded, not 

 according to the doctrine of Lavoisier, as composed of a com- 

 pound radical of carbon and hydrogen acidified by oxygen, but 

 as compounds of a simple base, carbon, acidified by oxygen and 

 hydrogen. On this principle the question occurs, what is their 

 precipe composition ? The proportions assigned by the analyses 

 hitherto given appear at variance with every principle, and can 

 be brought under no law, nor any apology whatever ; nor has 

 this been attempted. Part of this may arise from the difficulties 

 of the analysis, but more of it, perhaps, is to be ascribed to the 

 composition not having been considered under the just point of 

 view ; in more recent investigations, particularly in which only 

 .accurate experimental results can be expected, to the idea hav- 

 ing been entertained that they contain a portion of combined 

 water in their insulated state, which they yield when combined 

 with a base, and that the composition of the acid is to be deter- 

 mined, abstracted from this water, and as it exists in combina- 

 tions in which it is supposed to be in what is called its real 

 state. The principle which I have applied to their constitution 

 leads to very different results. 



In conformity to the law, which it has been shown exists 

 with regard to sulphur, it is probable the oxygen and hydrogen 

 will be in the definite proportions which they separately observe 

 to carbon ; and from the different proportions in which they 

 combine with this element, a number of compounds may be thus 

 formed. 



Carbon, with the first proportion of oxygen, forms an oxide. 

 Hydrogen is an acidifying power. Its addition, therefore, it is 

 not improbable, may give rise to acidity, and its proportion will 

 be determined either by its first or second proportion to carbon, 

 or by both. Carbon, with its second proportion of oxygen, 

 forms a weak acid. The addition of hydrogen to this will no 

 doubt augment acidity, and its proportion will also be determined 

 by its first or second proportion to carbon, or both. Four specific 

 compounds will thus be established, which will be represented 

 by carbonic oxide with a certain proportion of hydrogen, one 

 that which exists in carburetted hydrogen, the other that in 

 supercaiburettcd hydrogen ; and by carbonic acid with similar 

 proportions of hydrogen. Further, there has appeared reason to> 



