T. 8. Hunt on the Theory of Chemical Changes. 229 
Hydrogen, chlorine and some other primary species offer appa- 
Tent exceptions to the general law of condensation and equiva- 
lency of volumes. When four volumes of chlorine unite with 
four of olefiant gas, or naphthaline, the product is condensed into 
four volumes; but if the chlorine unite with the same volume of 
hydrogen gas, there is no condensation, and eight volumes or two 
equivalents of hydrochloric gas are produced. ‘This, however, 
is explained when we find that four volumes of the chloro-hydro- 
carbon MH, Cle, may break up into four of a new species M Cl, 
produced from four volumes of water-vapor, to represent two 
*quivalents, it should equal eight volumes instead of two, so that 
condensed to one-fourth, precisely as the vapor of sulphur is 
Condensed to one-twelfth of its theoretical volume. As there are 
no bodies which are known to yield for four volumes, a less quan- 
lity than two volumes of oxygen, this may be taken to represent 
its equivalent, and the condensation of the theoretical volume, is 
ich constitutes polymerism, and evidently offers no exception 
tog law of equivalent volumes. 
le 
ie The same rul 
“Y shown, necessarily holds in regard to the number of atoms 
onD Senies, Vol. XV, No. 44,—March, 1853. * 90 
