ANNALS 



OF 



PHILOSOPHY, 



FEBRUARY, 1825. 



Article I. 



On the Life and Writings of Claude-Louis BerthoUet. 

 By Mr. Hugh Colquhoun. 



{Continued from p. 18.) 



In the course of the investigation into the nature of chlorine, 

 of which the conclusions have just been detailed, BerthoUet was 

 induced to examine its action upon the liquid fixed alkalies. 

 In consequence of a very complicated decomposition, the full 

 extent of which it was impossible for him to foresee, the result 

 was a new compound, which is now distinguished by the name 

 of chlorate of potash. This he proved to consist of potash 

 united to an acid composed of muriatic acid and a larger propor- 

 tion of oxygen than he supposed to exist in chlorine : to this 

 acid he accordingly gave the name of hyperoxygenized muriatic 

 acid. One of the most remarkable properties of this salt is the 

 great proportion of oxygen which it contains. This oxygen is 

 retained, united only by a very weak affinity, and of course is 

 easily disengaged by presenting any of the combustibles with 

 which it readily combines. BerthoUet, who was ever the first 

 to foresee the practical application of any of his discoveries, 

 proposed that the new substance should on that account be 

 substituted for nitre in the manufacture of gunpowder. His 

 hint was immediately acted upon, and a manufactory was esta- 

 blished at Essone. The effects, however, were lamentable. No 

 sooner had the workmen begun to triturate the mixture of 

 chlorate of potash, sulphur, and charcoal, than the whole 

 exploited with tremendous violence, the building was blown into 

 the air, and several persons perished. 



The discovery of this substance has, however, been productive 

 of no small advantage to science. It has tended to complete 

 the theory of chemistry, and has also become an instrument of 

 discovery, extending still farther the limits of our knowledge: 

 Without it, the two oxygen-acids and the two oxides of chlorine 

 had never been known, and cannot yet be prepared ; without it, 



Ntw Seriea, vol. IX. <- 



