100 JT. S. Hunt on Solution and the Chemical Process. 
Arr. XIIL—Thoughts on Solution and the Chemical Process ; 
by T UNT 
By solution, as distinguished. from fusion or volatilization, we 
understand in chemistry the production of a homogeneous liquid 
by the combination of two or more bodies, one of which must 
itself be in a liquid state, while the others may be liquid, solid, 
or gaseous. ‘The solveut action of acids and alkalies upon bodies 
insoluble in water is by all admitted to be chemical in its nature ; 
but according to Leopold Gmelin, “mixtures of liquids, and so- 
lutions of solids in liquids, (as of acids, alkalies, salts, oils, etc., in 
water and alcohol,) are by Berzelius, Mitscherlich, Dumas, and 
hers most distinguished modern chemists, regarded ” 
not chemical ere they take place in definite proportions.” 
“Mitscherlich attributes such unions to adhesion, Dumas to @ 
solvent power intermediate between cohesion and (chemical) 
affinity, aud Berzelius refers them to @ modification of affinity, 
while proper chemical combinations according to him result not — 
1g 
from affinity, but from electrical attraction.” —( Gmelin’s Hand- 
book, English ed., vol-i, p ) 
The learued author of the Handbook objects to these views 
that “they restrict the idea of a chemical compound within too 
narrow limits,” and he elsewhere implies that the force which 
ai a solution is a weak degree of chemical affinity. (Id. vol., 
The judicious Turner also speaks of ordinary solutions 
as 8 of chemical union ;* and Mr. J. J. Griffin has insisted 
upon the same view.t As these writers have not however suflfi- 
ciently dwelt upon the important principle, rejected by so many 
names of authority, that all solution is chemical union, we pro- 
pose to offer some considerations upon aqueous solution, and 
endeavor to show that the process presents all the phenomena 
of chemical combination. First, in the fact that the resulting 
saturated solutions are perfectly homogeneous; secondly, in the 
coudeusation and more or less perfect identification of volume 
observed in the process ;{ (some anhydrous salts dissolve in water 
without increasing its volume.) Thirdly, in the change of tem- 
perature which attends the process ; thus oil of vitriol, hydrate of 
potash, and many anhydrous salts evolve ya when dissolved in 
water, while sal-ammoniac, nitre, and many hydrous salts pro- 
duce ald by their solution. dee in the change of color 
which mnths the solution of some salts, as the chlorids of nickel, 
. bad 
Elements of Chemistry, pore ape 
~ f L.B and D. Phil, Mag. 3d Series vel me p20 
+ paper, Considerations on the Theory of Chemical Changes, ete, this 
Sobral (2h pak ean te Phil. Mag. (4), Gog, and Pharm: Centralblast 
