upon oxygenized and hyper oxygenized muriatic Acid, Sec. 135 
Very strong acetic acid produced the same effect. 
By other experiments, I had ascertained that acetic acid could 
not decompose any part of the entire salt; and hence I con- 
cluded, that in the entire liquor, before evaporation, some of the 
salt remained in the state of oxygenized muriate, the. acid of 
which was expelled by the sulphuric or acetic acid ; and, that 
it was not till the moment of crystallization, that the elements 
of the salt underwent a total resolution into muriate, and hyper- 
oxygenized muriate, of potash. However, a small quantity of 
any of the very soluble neutral sqlts, such as nitrate or muriate 
of ammonia, or even a little alcohol, produced the same effects ; 
and I was then convinced, that the effervescence was owing to 
some uncombined oxygenized muriatic acid gas, remaining in 
the liquor ; and which was disengaged, in proportion as the 
water was taken from it, by the superior affinity of the salt, or 
the alcohol, I had used. 
By some previous experiments, I had ascertained, as I have 
just mentioned, that acetic or acetous acids do not decompose hy- 
peroxygenized muriate of potash. I sent a current of oxygenized 
muriatic acid through a solution of acetite of potash ; and, upon 
evaporation, I found that the acetous acid had been disengaged, 
and that muriate, with hyperoxygenized muriate, of potash had 
been formed. But, from some trials, which I shall presently 
relate, I was induced to believe, that oxygenized .muriatic acid 
attracts the salifiable bases with a much weaker affinity , than 
acetous acid. It is well known that the contact of oxygenized 
muriatic acid with an alkali, is sufficient to produce a combina- 
tion of that acid with the alkali ; and, from the last-mentioned 
experiments it appears, that it is not absolutely necessary that 
