230 AN ANALYSIS 



which it is exerted ; and if the reverse of cohesion, that is, the 

 power of a solvent, operates in establishing the reverse combi- 

 nations, as, in considering the agency of alcohol in this analysis, 

 there has appeared sufficient reason to conclude, then it will 

 follow, that, as in a concentrated medium, the least soluble 

 compounds are formed, so in a dilute medium, the more so- 

 luble compounds will be established. The power of the sol- 

 vent is exerted with greatest effect on those which are most 

 soluble ', and hence, if the reverse combinations even existed, 

 this power must change them, and establish the others, pre- 

 cisely as the power of cohesion acts with most energy on those 

 which are least soluble, and thus causes their formation, when 

 it is brought to act with sufficient force. Hence will follow 

 the simple rule by which the state of combination may be de- 

 termined ; that, in any fluid containing the elements of com- 

 pound salts, the binary compounds existing in it will be those 

 which are most soluble in that fluid ; and the reverse combina- 

 tions will only be established by its concentration favouring 

 the influence of cohesion. Thus, if we concentrate a solution 

 containing sulphuric and muriatic acids, soda and lime, we 

 know, that from the influence of cohesion, the binary combi- 

 nations will be those of sulphuric acid with lime, and of muri- 

 atic acid with soda. And on the same principle, we may in- 

 fer, that in a dilute solution containing these elements, the 

 combinations will, from the influence of the power the reverse 

 of cohesion, that of the solvent action of the liquid, be those 

 of sulphuric acid with soda, and muriatic acid with lime. In 

 a concentrated solution, containing muriatic and sulphuric 

 acids, soda and magnesia, sulphate of magnesia and muriate of 

 soda are formed ; and, on the same principle, in a dilute solu- 

 tion, there must exist sulphate of soda and muriate of magne- 

 sia. 



This 



