muriatic Acid in its different States . 247 
bination may be formed by the intermedium of hydrogene. I 
am inclined to consider the oily substance produced by the 
action of oxymuriatic acid gas, and olefiant gas, as a ternary 
compound of these bodies ; for they combine nearly in equal 
volumes ; and I find that, by the action of potassium upon the oil 
so produced, muriate of potash is formed, and gaseous matter, 
which I have not yet been able to collect in sufficient quantity 
to decide upon its nature, is formed. Artificial camphor, 
and muriatic ether, as is probable from the ingenious experi- 
ments of M. Gehlen and M. Thenard, must be combinations 
of a similar kind, one probably with more hydrogene, and 
the other with more carbon. 
One of the greatest problems in oeconomical chemistry, is the 
decomposition of the muriates of soda and potash. The solu- 
tion of this problem will, perhaps, be facilitated by these new 
views. The affinity of potassium and sodium for oxymuriatic 
acid, is very strong ; but so likewise is their attraction for 
oxygene, and the affinity of their oxides for water. The 
affinities of oxymuriatic acid gas for hydrogene, and of mu- 
riatic acid gas for water, are likewise of a powerful kind. 
Water, therefore, should be present in all cases, when it is 
intended to attempt to produce alkali. It is not difficult after 
these views to explain the decomposition of common salt, by 
aluminous or silicious substances, which, as it has been long 
known, act only when they contain water. In these cases 
the sodium may be conceived to combine with the oxygene of 
the water and with the earth, to form a vitreous compound ; 
and the oxymuriatic acid to unite with the hydrogene of the 
water, forming muriatic acid gas. 
It is also easy, according to these new ideas, to explain 
Kk 2 
