ANALYSIS OF MINERAL WATERS. 273 



tity of soda existing in the water exceeded what the propor- 

 tion of muriatic acid could neutralise, this excess of soda being 

 combined with sulphuric or carbonic acid, then, in the remo- 

 val of these acids by muriate of barytes, muriatic acid would 

 be substituted, which would remain in the state of muriate of 

 soda ; and if the quantity considered as an original ingredient 

 were estimated from the quantity of this salt obtained, it would 

 be stated too high. Or if, on the other hand, more muriatic 

 acid existed in the water than what the soda present could 

 neutralise, the excess being combined with the other bases, 

 lime or magnesia, then, as in the process by which these earths 

 are precipitated, this portion of the acid would be combined 

 with ammonia, and afterwards dissipated in the state of muri- 

 ate of ammonia, if the original quantity, were inferred from 

 the weight of the muriate of soda obtained, it would be stated 

 too low. 



To find the real quantity, therefore, another step is necessa- 

 ry. The quantities of bases, and of acids procured, (taking 

 the quantity of muriatic acid existing in the muriate of soda 

 obtained), being combined according to the known proportions 

 of their binary combinations, if any portion of muriatic acid 

 has been abstracted, the bases will be in excess, and the quan- 

 tity of this acid necessary to produce neutralization, will be 

 the quantity lost ; or, on the other hand, if any portion of mu- 

 riatic acid has been introduced, and remains beyond that ori- 

 ginally contained in the water, this quantity will be in excess 

 above what is necessary to produce neutralization. The simple 

 rule, therefore, is to combine the elements obtained by the 

 analysis, in binary combinations, according to the known pro- 

 portions in which they unite ; the excess or deficiency of mu- 

 riatic acid will then appear ; and the amount of the excess 

 being subtracted from the quantity of muriatic acid contained 



Vol. VIII. P. I. Mm in 



