NAttJRE OF OXikUfelATIC A£lTi. g^^ 



metallic state with oxigenized muriatic gae ; and that this 

 gas combines with the oxigen, which the water gives up to 

 it, to pass to the hyperoxigeaized state: and these supposi* 

 tions are not sufficient to explain every thing. 



*'Iu the other hypothesis, that is to say, admitting that on the former 

 oxigen is capable of combining with muriatic acid, as it is ^*^ ^' 

 with metals, and with all combustible substances, all the 

 explanations are natural, and perfectly analogous with those 

 given of other facts, in which oxigen is transferred from one 

 substance to another. Only the new observations show, 

 that, to effect the change of oxigenized muriatic gas into 

 muriatic gas, it is necessary for the latter to be in a situa- 

 tion to receive the quantity of water necessary to its consti- 

 tution ; which agrees with the force of its combination, 

 which is very great in muriatic acid. 



" It naay not be useless to remark, that, when we discuss and on hyp». 



the nature of substances, the mode of their combination, *^,^^^"* 8*"®" 



ral. 

 and the changes that may take place in the elements that 



enter into their composition, it is easy to multiply hypothe- 

 ses : but those that are best supported by analogy, and re- 

 quire the fewest suppositions to connect them with the facts, 

 90 that the mind readily embraces their relation to them> 

 should be adopted; still however not confounding their ap- 

 plications with the facts themselves confirmed by weight 

 and measure, or with the inductions that immediately flow 

 from these*." 



A few months ago I commenced a train of experimental New experi- 

 investigation, different from that which I have hitherto pro- '"^"ts pro. 

 secuted, which promised to be decisive with regard to these 

 hypotheses. The results of the experiments 1 have performed 

 have accordingly been such as appear to me to establish the 

 truth of the common opinion. An account of these will, 

 with your permission, form a communication for the suc- 

 ceeding number of your Journal. 



I am, with much respect, 

 Edinburgh, IJth Oct. Your most obedient servant, 



1811. JOHNMURRAV. 



•The quotation in Mr. Murray's paper was in the original French: 

 but for the sake of those of our readers, to whom that language is not 

 sufficiently familiaf, it is here gi?en in English. . C. 



XVIU 



