On Oxalic Acid. 4t 



These numbers may be conceived to represent the relative 

 weights of an integrant particle of each of these substances; 

 formed on the supposition that an atom of hydrogen weighs 1. 

 It follows equally from this law, that the acids and bases 

 combine particle with particle, or a certain determinate num- 

 ber of particles of the one with a particle of the other. 



One of the most important points in the investigation of 

 compound bodies, is to ascertain the number which denotes 

 the weight of an integrant particle of each of them, that of 

 an atom of hydrogen being 1 ; because this number, or a 

 multiple of it, represents the weight of each, which enters 

 into all combinations ; and because it enables us to estimate » 

 the number of elementary atoms of which each is composed. 

 From a careful comparison of the table of oxalates, given in 

 a preceding part of this paper, with the weight of the diffe- 

 rent bases already determined *, it appears that the weight 

 of an integrant particle of oxalic acid must be represented 

 by the number 39*5. 



Now, what number of atoms of oxygen, carbon, and hy- 

 drogen, go to constitute an integrant particle of oxalic acid? 

 We have assigned the relative weights of each of these 

 atoms, and we have ascertained the relative proportions of 

 the respective elements of oxalic acid. From these datait is- . 

 easy to solve the problem. An integrant particle of oxalic 

 acid consists of nine atoms combined together, namely^ four 

 atoms of oxygen, three of carbon, and two of hydrogen. 

 4 atoms of oxygen weigh 4x6 =.24 

 3 atoms of carbon 3 x 4*5 = 13'5 



2 atoms of hydrogen 2x1 =2 



Total 39*5 



which together make up the weight of an integrant particle 

 of oxalic acid. 



According to these proportions, 100 parts of oxalic acid 

 is composed of 



* For these weights, and the method of determining- them, I refer the 

 reader to my System of Chemistry, 3d edition, iii. 619. The numbers which. 

 2h2ve there assigned are, I am persuaded, rather too low. 



Oxygen 



