40 
SIE B. C. BEODIE ON THE CALCULUS OF CHEMICAL OPEEATIONS. 
Unit of Hydrogen a, 
„ Oxygen i 3 , 
„ Water a|, 
„ Binoxide of hydrogen . . . ag 2 , 
a being the symbol of the “weight” A, and g the symbol of the “weight” B. 
These symbols involve no hypothesis whatever except the accuracy of the data from 
which they are deduced ; and were we ignorant of the existence of the elements chlo- 
rine, iodine, bromine, nitrogen, phosphorus, . . ., and the other elements (hydrogen 
excepted) of the class termed by Laukent.“ dyad elements it would be in our power, 
proceeding on these principles, to construct a perfectly unhypothetical symbolic system 
(which would be open to no difference of opinion) to represent the units of matter. 
Now, however (retaining A as indicating the matter of a unit of hydrogen), let E be 
the matter of a unit of hydrochloric acid and C the matter of a unit of chlorine. We 
have then 
2E=A+C, 
and 
C = 2E— A; 
the only inference to be necessarily drawn from this equation is that the matter of a 
unit of hydrogen is contained in (or is a part of) the matter of two units of hydrochloric 
acid. 
Assuming each of the two units of hydrochloric acid to be similarly constituted (for 
we cannot draw any distinction between them without an assumption, which is totally 
unnecessary), this condition may be satisfied in two ways. I. A unit of hydrogen may 
be contained in one unit of hydrochloric acid. II. A unit of hydrogen may be contained 
in two units of hydrochloric acid and not contained in one unit of hydrochloric acid. 
Considering Case I., let E=A-)-K, C=A-f2K, and we have as the constituents of 
the units of hydrogen, chlorine, hydrochloric acid. 
Unit of Hydrogen A weighing *089 grm., 
„ Chlorine A-J-2K „ 3T73 grms., 
,, Hydrochloric acid . . . A+K „ U631 grm., 
the weight of the bit of matter K being U542 grm. 
This view corresponds to the hypothesis that the unit of hydrogen is a simple weight. 
Symbol of Hydrogen a, 
„ Chlorine ap^ 2 , 
„ Hydrochloric acid .... a%;. 
In Case II. half a unit of hydrogen (and no more or less) must he contained in a unit 
of hydrochloric acid. Putting, then, E=- + H, we have C=2D. The constituents of 
Laukent, ‘ Chemical Method,’ Cavendish Society, 1855. 
