240 AN ANALYSIS 



Of the different views which may be taken of the state of 

 combination of the elements, I have already inferred, that the 

 one which supposes the sulphuric acid to exist in the state of 

 sulphate of soda, is the most probable ; and as the mode of 

 analysis by re-agents is the most accurate, the last table may 

 be considered as that which exhibits the nighest approxima- 

 tion to the real composition of sea-water, both with regard to 

 its ingredients, and their proportions. 



I had proposed to add a few observations on the analysis 

 of salt brines ; but as they are merely applications of the prin- 

 ciples already illustrated, it is sufficient to state them briefly, 

 or to notice those which present rather striking results. 



Klaproth has given a laborious investigation of the nature 

 of these brines ; in the greater number of them, he states as in- 

 gredients, muriate of soda, muriate of magnesia, muriate of 

 lime, and sulphate of lime. It is obvious, that there are no 

 just grounds whence this composition can be inferred ; it is 

 much more probable, that sulphate of soda is the ingredient, 



and 



Lime 



2.9 grains. 



Magnesia, 



13. 



Soda, 



97.6 



Sulphuric Acid, 



15.2 



Muriatic Acid, 



96.9 





225.6 grains 



The principal difference here, is the proportion of magnesia being somewhat 

 smaller, evidently owing to its precipitation by the carbonate of ammonia, even 

 with the aid of the methods employed to promote it, being imperfect. 



