154 M r ‘ Chenevix's Observations and Experiments 
combination of common muriatic acid with the different oxides 
of this metal, has been stated in the most contradictory manner, 
by different chemists. But, as the knowledge of hy pet-oxyge- 
nized muriatic acid has thrown some light upon the true state 
of calomel and corrosive sublimate,* I must beg leave to dwell 
at some length upon this important part of my subject. 
It would be useless to repeat the opinions of the old authors, 
who have treated of corrosive sublimate, and of calomel. They 
are to be found in the works of those respective chemists, and I 
must refer to them for particulars. 
In the Memoirs of the Academy of Sciences of Paris, for 
1780, we find a Paper of Mr. Berthollet, upon the causticity 
of metallic salts ; in which he appears to think, that the acid in 
corrosive sublimate is in the state of what was then called 
dephlogisticated marine acid. In 1785, when he had examined 
the oxygenized muriatic acid with more care, he renounced his 
former opinion; and gave the reasons why he no longer ad- 
hered to it. Some late experiments of Mr. Proust shew, that 
this chemist thinks as Mr. Berthollet now does. And these 
may be ranked among the first of modern authorities. 
Notwithstanding those opinions, Mr. Fourcroy, in his Sys- 
time des Connoissances chimiques, still considers corrosive subli- 
mate as a hyperoxygeriized muriate of mercury ; and designs it 
* I regret very much, that I am under the necessity of using these unmeaning terms. 
But the French nomenclature has made no distinction between salts formed by me- 
tallic oxides in different states of oxidizement, except by the colour, which is an 
extremely defective and unmeaning method. At all events, this metal is so uncom- 
plaisant as to retain the white colour, in its different oxides combined with muriatic 
acid. I prefer, however, using the old name, to. proposing any provisional substitute 
that might be found defective. This will be farther explained in Remarks upon 
chemical Nomenclature. 
