260 Canadian Record of Science. 



very unexpected results were obtained. For example, 

 when lithium and sodium chlorides were allowed to strive 

 for a small quantity of water, the lithium chloride (a deli- 

 quescent salt) took the whole of it, the sodium chloride 

 remaining quite dry. This was the result after the salts 

 were enclosed for several months. But with a larger pro- 

 portion of water, the sodium chloride obtained a small 

 share. "When the proportion of water was greatly increased, 

 the result of the contest was different; for it was found, 

 most unexpectedly, that the sodic chloride was now able to 

 seize upon and retain the lion's share. The explanation is 

 to be sought, in all probability, in the formation of a 

 hydrate by the lithium chloride. Sodic chloride does not 

 crystallise with water at ordinary temperatures, while 

 lithium chloride does. It is probable that the lithium chlo- 

 ride attracts water strongly until a definite hydrate is 

 formed, and, thus satisfied, allows the weaker attraction of 

 the sodium chloride to come into play. Further experi- 

 ments are being made on this point. We have also made 

 experiments with sodium and potassium chlorides, and find 

 that with a small quantity of water, the sodium chloride 

 takes nearly the whole of it. Larger quantities are more 

 evenly divided. Whether this case is reversed or not with 

 increased dilution, we have not yet determined. The 

 experiments are now being extended to cases in which a 

 well known chemical action takes place, the object being to 

 compare solution with chemical action. Molecular propor- 

 tions of phosphoric and citric acids have been enclosed with 

 aqueous solution of ammonia, insufficient to neutralise both 

 acids. As is well known, solutions of ammonia salts 

 become acid by loss of ammonia to the atmosphere. These 

 two acids will strive for the ammonia just as the salts do 

 or water. The result of the battle is yet to be seen. We 

 hope by these researches to throw some light upon the 

 vexed question of the nature of solution. 



Queen's University, Kingston, Ont., 

 September 20th, 1886. 



