220 



(d) The argument in favour of similarity of composition in the 

 haloid and amphide salts,* founded on a limited resemblance of pro- 

 perties in some instances, is more than counterbalanced by the ex- 

 treme dissimilitude in many others: — 



(e) As, in either class, almost every property may be found which 

 • is observed in any chemical compound, the existence of a similitude, 



in some cases, might be naturally expected : — 



(/) As it is evident that many salts, perfectly analogous in com- 

 position, are extremely dissimilar in properties, it is not reasonable to 

 consider resemblance in properties, as a proof of analogy in compo- 

 sition : — 



(g) No line of distinction, as respects either properties or compo- 

 sition, can be drawn between the binary compounds of the amphigen 

 and halogen bodies, which justifies that separate classification which 

 the doctrine requires ; so that it must be untenable as respects the 

 one or be extended to the other : — 



(h) The great diversity, both as respects properties and composi- 

 tion of the bodies called salts, rendering it impossible to define the 

 meaning of the word, any attempt to vary the language and theory 

 of Chemistry, in reference to the idea of a salt, must be extremely 

 pernicious : — 



(i) There is at least as much mystery in the fact that the addition 

 of an atom of oxygen to an oxacid, should confer an affinity for a 

 simple radical, as that the addition of an atom of this element to such 

 a radical, should create an affinity between it and an oxacid: — 



(J) If one atom of oxygen confer upon the base into which it en- 

 ters, the power to combine with one atom of acid, it is quite consistent 

 that the affinity should be augmented, proportionably, by a further 

 accession of oxygen : — 



(k) It were quite as anomalous, mysterious, and improbable, that 

 there should be three oxyphosphions, severally requiring for satura- 

 tion one, two, and three atoms of hydrogen, as that three isomeric 

 states of phosphoric acid should exist, requiring as many different 

 equivalents of basic water : — 



(Z) The attributes of acidity alleged to be due altogether to the pre- 

 sence of basic water, are not seen in hydrated acids, when holding 

 water in that form only; nor in such as are, like the oily acids, inca- 



* An amphide salt is one consisting of an acid and a base, each containing 

 an amphigen body, either oxygen, sulphur, selenium, or tellurium, as its elec- 

 tro-negative ingredient. 



