468 Mr. Davy's new analytical Researches 
IV. Further Inquiries respecting muriatic Acid. 
The experiments on muriatic acid, which I have already had 
the honour of laying before the Society, shew that the ideas 
which had been formerly entertained respecting the difference 
between the muriatic acid and the oxymuriatic acid are not 
correct. They prove that muriatic acid gas is a compound of 
a substance, which as yet has never been procured in an un- 
combined state, and from one-third to one-fourth of water, and 
that oxymuriatic acid is composed of the same substance, (free 
from water) united to oxygene. They likewise prove, that 
when bodies are oxydated in muriatic acid gas, it is by a de- 
composition of the water contained in that substance, and 
when tfyey are oxydated in oxymuriatic acid, it is by combina- 
tion with the oxygene in that body, and in both cases there is 
always a union of the peculiar unknown substance, the dry 
muriatic acid with the oxydated body. 
Of all known substances belonging to the class of acids, the 
dry muriatic acid is that which seems to possess the strongest 
and most extensive powers of combination. It unites with all 
acid matters that have been experimented upon, except car- 
bonic acid, and with all oxides (including water), and all in- 
flammable substances that have been tried, except those which 
appear to be elementary, carbonaceous matter and the me- 
tals ; and should its basis ever be separated in the pure form, 
it will probably be one of the most powerful agents in che- 
mistry. 
I have lately made several new attempts to procure un- 
combined dry muriatic acid ; but they have been all unsuc- 
cessful. 
