234 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



or it may be represented by the equation 



(XH,)2S04 = KH,H SO, + IvTEa- 

 and tile second experiment by the equation 



(XH,)^ CO3 = ^^H, H CO3 + KHs- 



If "^e substituted a less volatile base in .such, a reaction Tve ought 

 only to have the phenomenon which is generally understood under 

 the designation of dissociation. The result, however, in this ease is a 

 permanent decomposition. 



iSTitrates when heated under pressure with oxidizable metals are 

 rapidily decomposed, and the surface of the metal con'oded. Many of 

 the boiler accidents have been probably so caused ; for we may ex- 

 tend these remarks to the other salts found in water, although none 

 seem so energetic upon the surface of the metal as the nitrates, owing 

 to the ease with which that acid yields its oxygen. 



"We cannot conclude this part of oui' subject without pointing out 

 how strongly these researches upon the dissociation of the acidulous 

 and basylous molecules bear upon the technical processes upon which 

 the arts and manufactures rest. Le Blanc's ingenious but round- 

 about process for the production of soda and hydi'ochloric acid, seems 

 thi'eatened by dissociation, and ali^eady the process for the production 

 of chlorine directly fi'om hydi'ocliloric acid and air *' is based upon 

 similar reactions to those described in this report. 



* " On a Xe\r Chlorine Process M-ithout Manganese." By Henut Deacon, 

 F. C. S., Britisli Association. Eeport, 1870, Transactions of the Sections, p. 54. 



