STATtJRE OP OXfMURIATlC ACIO. |^| 



experimentally ascertained. They are however a series of 

 suppositions, some «f them in opposition even to the evi- 

 dence, which Mr. J. Davy brings forward. 



Tnus no proof is given, that this new gas had been formed N^o proof that 

 in the experiment. Admitting it to be formed when oxi- form"eTirthS 

 muriatic a«>id and carbonic oxide gasses are submitted to experiment. 

 mutual action ; it does not follow, that it will also be formed 

 when they are in mixture with hidrogen. We know it is 

 not formed when a little water is admitted, but that the 

 products in this case are muriatic and carbonic acids. It is 

 equally possible, that hidrogen may modify their mutual 

 action so as to prevent its formation ; that in this case also 

 these acids are formed on the principle I have already 

 explained ; that the concrete salt formed with ammonia con- 

 sists of muriate and carbonate of ammonia, and that the 

 carbonic acid is directly disengaged from this salt by the 

 diluted acid. There is not a single phenomenon attending 

 the experiment as stated by Mr. J. Davy, which does not 

 accord with this explanation. 



It is farther an hypothesis, that this new gas is capable of Farther sup. 

 decomposing water, when disengaged by an acid from its pos't'on, that 

 , . . . , . , , . , this gas is ca- 



combinalion with ammonia; an hypothesis assumed to ac- pableofde» 



count for the production of carbonic acid, and supported composing 

 by no proof. Mr. J. Davy says, indeed, that it must •* ap- 

 pear evident, when it is known, that this new gas neither 

 inflames on the passage of the electric spark with either 

 oxigen or hidrogen alone, but that it detonates violently 

 with a mixture of oxigeu and hidrogen in proper propor- 

 tions, and aifords muriatic and carbonic acid gas." It is 

 sufficiently evident, however, admitting even Mr. J. Davy's 

 idea of the composition of this gas, that, when these gasses 

 are in mixture with it, each of them exerting an affinity to 

 one of its ingredients, without any affinity being exerted 

 between them to counteract this, these combinations may 

 be established ; while it does not follow, that, when the oxi- 

 gen and hidrogen are united by a strong affinity as they are 

 in water, this will be overcome, and the water be decora- 

 posed. But why have recourse to these remote and indi- 

 rect considerations? Let the fact be at once appealed tojf 

 does this gas decompose water or not? It appears from 



Mr. 



