OXALIC ACID. 105 



escape of water. Now, 2*25 is equivalent to 2 

 atoms water. It is obvious from this, that oxa- 

 late of lime dried in the temperature of 95 is 

 composed of 



1 atom oxalic acid . . 4-5 



1 atom lime . . 35 



2 atoms water 2*25 



10-25 



5. Such are the atomic weights of oxalic acid 

 and its crystals. Various attempts have been aii c acid 

 made to determine the constituents of this acid. 

 The first set of experiments on the subject was 

 made by myselfi in 1806, and published in the 

 Philosophical Transactions for 1807- I decom- 

 posed oxalate of lime by heat, collected and ana- 

 lyzed the products, and concluded that the con- 

 stituents of oxalic acid were 



Oxygen ... 64 

 Carbon . . . 32 

 Hydrogen ... 4 



100 



8 875 grains of oxalate of ammonia contain the same quantity of oxalic 

 acid. 



These experiments leave not the smallest doubt on my mind, that 9 

 grains of oxalic acid crystals represent the equivalent for an atom of oxalic 

 acid. Now, as it is universally admitted that the atomic weight of oxalic 

 acid is 4-5, there cannot be a doubt that one half of the crystals consist of 

 water, or at least of something which does not enter into combination with 

 bases. 



