»9S4 ^^ ^^^^ r.lURlATlC ACID IN ITS DIFFERENT STATES. 



potassium does In considering tlie dry muriates as compounds of oxi- 

 ^^^''^j'^^'j^''^''"^^ muriatic acid and inflammable bodies, the argument that I 

 combustion. have used in tlie last Bakerian lecture, to show, that 

 potassium does not form hydrat of fiotash by combustion, 

 is considerably strengthened; for from the quantity of oxi- 

 muriatic acid the metal requires to produce a muriate, it 

 seems to be shown, that it is the simplest known form of 

 the alkaline matter. This I think approaches to an ex~ 

 perhnentum cruets. Potash made by alcohol, and that has 

 been heated to redness, appears to be a hydrat of potash ; 

 while the potash formed by the combustion of potassium 

 must be considered as a pure metallic oxide, which re- 

 quires about 19 per cent of water to convert it into a hydrat. 

 Chareoardoes Among all the known combustible bodies charcoal is the- 

 jiot combine only one, which docs not combine directly with oximnriatic 

 o-rmuriat'ic^ ^'^'^^ S''^ ? ^"'^ J^^ there is reason for believing, that this 

 acid, but forms combination may be formed by the intermedium of hidro- 

 poumiTwith it §^"* ^ ^'" inclined to consider the oily substance, pro- 

 faid hidrogen. duced by the action of oximuria^ic acid gas and olefient 

 gas, as a ternary compound of these bodies j for they 

 combine nearly in equj^l volumes : and I find, that by the 

 action of potassium npon the oil so produced, muriate of 

 potash is farmed, and gaseous matter, which I have not 

 yet been able to collect in sufficient quantity (o decide upon 

 its nature, is formed. Artificial camphor, and muriatic 

 ether, as is probable from the ingenious experiments of Mr. 

 Gehlen and Mr. Thenard, must be combinations of a si- 

 milar kind, one probably with more hidrogen, and thc^ 

 other with more carbon. 



ease, and in which, in consequence of the small affmity of the basis 

 for water, it had little tendency to combine with oxigen. The second, 

 the metals of the alkalis and alkaline earths, in which the hidrogen 

 was more fumly combined, but in combustion forming water capa- 

 ble of being sepu.a'cd from the basis. And, thirdly, the metals 

 of the earths and Common metals, in which the hidrogen was more 

 intimately combined; producing by union with oxigen, water not 

 very question- separable by any new attractions. The phenomena of the action 

 alilc' of potassium and sodium upon muriatic acid, referred to in the 



teKt, seem however to overturn these speculations, So iit ^t they 

 concern the metals froni the fixed alkalis. 



Oae 



