CN THE l7NCOM3iNE» ALKALI IN ANIMAL FLUIDS. 285 



of (he hygrometer, the quantity of vapour contained in a giren Quantity of 



volume of air : which Saussure could not do, notwithstanding vapour m air 

 , ° ascertainable. 



his accuracy, on account of the imperfection of his processes. 



This method, which I have already pointed out, consists in Process, 

 taking liquids, from which nothing but water is separated by 

 heat, and boiling them at very different temperatures; for in- 

 stance, sulphuric acid more or less diluted ; placing the hygro- 

 meter underneath jars wetted with each of these liquids ; and 

 observing the degree at which tt stands. On the otie hand we 

 know from my experiments the density of aqueous vapour, 

 which is to that of air as ten to sixteen j on the other we know 

 the boiling point, or elasticity of each liquid enclosed under a 

 jar with the hygrometer : consequently we have all the neces- 

 sary data for the solution of the problem in question. On this The author 

 I am at present employed, and I trust it will not prove unin- employed oii 

 teresting to the science of iiygromelry. 



VIIL 



Remarks on the Correspondence letween Dr. Bostock and Dr, 

 Makcet, 071 the sulject of the uncomlined Alkali in the ani- 

 mal Fluids. In a letter from George Pearson, M. D. 

 F.R.S.&C. 



To WilUam Nicholson, Esq. 

 George Street, Hanover Square, Oct.Tj, 1812. 



I 



SIR, 

 N your Journal for the present month I read the letter of imroductioa, 

 Dr, Marcet, addressed to his friend. Dr. Bostock j in which by reference 

 he offers the evidence of some experiments to prove, that the ^gj,g ig^gr (^ 

 potash which exists in the animal fluids is in the state of muriat Dr. Bostock, 

 (muriate), and '' that the whole of the uncombined alkali is ^^^^\^^ thereon, 

 soda." by Dr. B. 



Itappears, that Dr. Bostock was of opinion, that the sup- 

 posed uncombined alkali was potash, according to my pro- 

 visional conclusions, and not .soda : but on the representation 

 of evidence just mentioned, he has changed his opinion, and 

 therefore has become the vehicle of Dr. Marcet's letter to the 

 ^ public J 



