1816.} when triturated together. 429 
heated under water, phosphureted hydrogen gas is evolved, which 
occasions an explosion. Alcohol acts upon this compound, and 
forms a solution, having a very fetid odour. It is known that a 
moderate heat produces a'combination between sulphur and phos- 
phorus. 
From these experiments the following consequences may be 
drawn :— 
1. The trituration of anhydrous bodies produces no chemical 
action. 
2. But it takes place when one or both bodies is soluble in the 
liquid poured upon them. 
3. It takes place equally when one of the bodies is soluble, the 
other insoluble, in the liquid poured on the mixture. 
4. The water of crystallization acts as free water. But the 
moisture of the atmosphere acts only when it is absorbed by one of 
the triturated bodies. 
5. The consequence of the decomposition has no effect on its 
success. It is the same thing whether the body produced by the 
decomposition be soluble or not. 
What is called disposing affinity might, in consequence of this 
last circumstance, be rejected. 
The reddening of tincture of litmus is an action of acids de- 
pending entirely on the presence of water. 
Finally, there are chemical compounds which are formed en- 
tirely in consequence of the heat evolved by the trituration; for 
example, the compound of sulphur and phosphorus. 
ArticLtE IV. 
A Comparison of the Old and New Theories respecting the Nature 
of Oxymuriatic Acid, to enable us to judge which of the two de- 
serves the Preference. By Jacob Berzelius, M.D. Professor of 
Medicine and Pharmacy, and Fellow of the Royal Academy of 
Sciences at Stockholm. : 
(Continued from yp, 259.) 
7. Chlorine combines with Azote. The Compound is an oily-form 
Liquid, which explodes violently at the Heat of toiling Water, 
lecause us Constityents separate. 
To be able to judge rightly of these facts, we must make a short 
digression on the explosions of chemical compounds, and on the 
appearance of fire which takes place during these explosions, 
Of the hypotheses which have been formed to account for the 
increase of temperature during chemical combinations, which often 
proceeds so far that fire actually appears, that one only agrees with 
all the phenomena, and accords with the whole of science, which 
ascribes the heat and the fire produced in chemical combinations to 
