for decomposing the Muriatic Acid. igg 



of 1000 shocks, did not evince the smallest progress towards 

 the decomposition of the muriatic acid. 



Exper. 18. In the naturally moist state of these gases, it 

 follows, from the 14th experiment, that carbonic acid is pro- 

 duced by electrifying them in conjunction. It appeared to me 

 of some importance to ascertain whether, after a previous 

 decomposition of their moisture, carbonic acid would continue 

 to be generated. But the electrified carbonated hydrogenous gas 

 itself contains carbonic acid, which, unless removed, would 

 render the result of the experiment undecisive. This was accom 

 plished by passing up, to a portion of electrified gas, a bubble 

 or two of dry ammoniacal gas, which, uniting with the carbonic 

 acid, would condense any portion of it that might be present. 

 The remainder was transferred into another tube ; and, to this 

 carbonated hydrogenous gas, perfectly deprived both of moisture 

 and carbonic acid, muriatic acid gas, previously electrified, was 

 added, and electrical shocks were passed through the mixture. A 

 drop of water was then admitted ; and the residuary gas, after 

 having been dried, was transferred into another tube. On 

 passing up barytic water, not the smallest trace of carbonic acid 

 could be discovered. 



From the preceding experiments, the following conclusions 

 may be deduced. 



1. The muriatic acid gas, in the driest state in which it can 

 be procured, still contains a portion of water. From a calcula- 

 tion founded on the experiments described in the first section, 

 the grounds of which are too obvious to require being stated, it 

 follows, that 100 cubical inches of muriatic gas, after exposure 

 to muriate of lime, still hold in combination 1.4 grain of water. 



2. When electrical shocks are passed through this gas, the 



