24 ° 
Mr. Chenevix’s Analysis , &c. 
small mixture of any disoxidating substance would, in a short 
time, reduce immense quantities. 
From the foregoing experiments we may perceive, into how 
many errors we may be drawn, if, in arguing from the re- 
sults which we obtain, we pronounce too hastily upon the 
state in which a substance exists, in the subject of any analysis. 
After what has been shewn, with regard to the action of muri- 
atic acid upon a mixture of metallic copper and black oxide 
of copper, both reduced to powder, and of the action of phos- 
phoric acid upon the ore itself, it may be still a doubt, whether 
this ore is really a suboxide, or a mixture of metallic copper 
and oxide of copper, at 20 per cent, of oxygen. But, as similar 
proportions of both, after having been made red hot, presented 
all the properties and appearances of the ore, much more 
strongly than when simply mixed, it is fair to conclude, that 
it is a real suboxide. Had not muriatic acid been used, the na- 
tural conclusion would have been, that the ore was a mixture, 
or at most a combination, of these two substances ; for, such 
did it appear to be, by the testimony of the other acids. The 
truth is, we are but little acquainted with the exact state in 
which substances exist, in many natural combinations. How- 
ever, in the mineral kingdom, such fallacious conclusions are 
less frequently to be dreaded, than in the vegetable and animal 
kingdoms. But, in every research, it is important to leave as 
little room for them as possible ; and he who would indicate a 
sure and constant method of ascertaining whether, in many 
cases, what we deem a component part is not in fact a product 
of the operation, would render to science a service, the real 
value of which is, perhaps, not now entirely foreseen. 
