combinations of Oxymuriatic Gas and Oxygenc, &c. 33 
gas and inflammable matter, the name of their bases, with the 
termination ane. Thus argentane may signify horn-silver ; 
stannane, Libavius’s liquor ; antimonane, butter of antimony ; 
sulphurane, Dr. Thomson’s sulphuretted liquor ; and so on 
for the rest. 
In cases when the proportion is one quantity of oxymuriatic 
gas, and one of inflammable matter, this nomenclature will be 
competent to express the class to which the body belongs, 
and its constitution. In cases when two or more proportions 
of inflammable matter, combine with one of gas ; or two 
or more of gas, with one of inflammable matter, it may be 
convenient to signify the proportions by affixing vowels before 
the name, when the inflammable matter predominates, and 
after the name, when the gas is in excess ; and in the order 
of the alphabet, a signifying two, e three, i four, and so on. 
The name muriatic acid, as applied to the compound of 
hydrogene and oxymuriatic gas, there seems to be no reason 
for altering. And the compounds of this body with oxides 
should be characterized in the usual manner, and as the other 
neutral salts. 
Thus muriate of ammonia and muriate of magnesia, are 
perfectly correct expressions. 
I shall not dwell any longer at present upon this subject— 
What I have advanced, I advance merely as suggestion, and 
principally, for the purpose of calling the attention of philoso- 
phers to it.'*' As chemistry improves, many other alterations 
* It may be conceived that a name may be found for the oxymuriatic gas in some 
modification of its present appellation which may harmonize with the new views, and 
which may yet signify its relation to the muriatic acid, such as demuriatic gas, or 
oxymuric gas; but in this case it would be necessary to call the muriatic acid, hy- 
drogenated muriatic acid, or hydromuriatic acid ; and the salts which contain it 
MDCCCXI. F 
