46 FABRICATION OF SULPHURIC ACtD. 



This experiment, the only one of the kind, leaves no 

 doubt respecting the theory of the fabrication of sulphuric 

 acid, which we have here offered, and which is only a sim- 

 The discovery pie exhibition of the facts. If the chain of ideas to be 

 olm h g e t» r ° CeSS ado P ted > in order t0 arrive at th e process actually pursued, 

 chance. and the few analogies this operation has to all that we know, 



be considered, it will appear very fortunate, that chance 

 alone, in some sort led to the discovery; and that we were 

 then put in possession, without knowing it, of the only 

 process perhaps capable of furnishing sulphuric acid by the 

 combustion of sulphur in the air. 

 Advantages to This theory, affording us the means of improving our 

 from X E ted knowIed § e of the proportion of the elements of sulphurous 

 theory. and sulphuric acid, gives us some hope of discovering the 



same mode of action in other chemical operations^, perhaps 

 ill understood ; it likewise permits us to add some improve- 

 ments to the present mode from just principles'; as the ex- 

 tent and form of the leaden chambers, and the management 

 of the fire, must be necessarily influenced by this hypothesis ; 

 but its first benefit will be a saving of almost the whole of 

 the nitrate of potash. 



P. S. In the meeting of the 1st. of September, 1806, 

 the Physical and Mathematical Class of the National Insti. 

 tute ordered this paper to be printed in the collection of those 

 of learned contributors. 



IX. 



Facts towar$ a History of Cobalt and of Nickel, by Mr. 

 Proust ; abridged by Mr. Chevreuil,* 



Action of acids OULPHURIC, muriatic, and nitric acids, oxide cobalt in 

 •n cobalt. the same manner. With the first and second hidrogen is 



evolved. 



Sulphates. 

 Two sulphates. Of these there are two, one simple, the other a triple salt, 

 with the addition of potash or ammonia. 



♦•Annalesde Chimie, Vol. LX. p. 260, December, 1806. 



|.Tkt 



