M. Berzelius on Oxichlorides with Compound Radicals. 7 



concluded that this want of agreement should make us reject 

 as erroneous principles which are otherwise well founded, the 

 truth will never be arrived at. 



This is nearly all which I have thought necessary to say 

 upon this occasion for the defence of electro-chemical opi- 

 nions; but before I conclude, I will add a few words relative 

 to the discussion on the organic metamorphoses produced by 

 heat, a discussion in which MM. Dumas, Peligot, and Payen 

 have given an opinion contradictory to mine. 



M. Dumas thinks that I have deceived myself, because he 

 has found an ethylic combination which includes metamor- 

 phosed citric acid. The existence of this combination 

 proves neither more nor less than the existence of the other 

 metamorphosed combinations. 



M. Payen has shown that the amylate of lead, heated to 

 266° Fahr. yields no more water when heated to between 266^ 

 and 356°, without being partially decomposed. This is pre- 

 cisely what I have myself proved. I did not examine what 

 took place below 266°. With regard to this I referred to the 

 data contained in the memoir published by this skilful che- 

 mist upon starch. 



M. Peligot, who, I know not why, considers as an attack 

 upon him the explanation which I have given of an observa- 

 tion made by him, and the accuracy of which I have verified, 

 M. Peligot endeavours to prove that I have advancedj inac- 

 curate facts. I am persuaded that M. Peligot obtained the 

 results which he quoted in opposition to my views ; but I 

 must beg of him to believe as much of mine. The question 

 is then reduced to determining the conditions under which a 

 body metamorphosed by heat is reproduced by the action of 

 water, and those under which it is not. A careful study of 

 organic metamorphoses will, perhaps, discover these condi- 

 tions. I shall perhaps at some future period return to this 

 subject. Your devoted friend, 



Jac. Berzelius. 



Stockholm, July 15, 1839. 



Additional Note Ofi Oxichlorides xmtJi Compound lladicals. 

 By M. Berzelius*. 



T~^HE excellent work of M. Malaguti on the reaction which 

 chlorine exerts on gethers, affords no less than seven new 

 examples of this kind of combination. 



1. Chlorinated sulphuric cBther of M. Malaguti is composed, 

 as we have shown, of 



* From the Ann, de Chhn. et de Phys., vol. Ixi. p. 340. 



