Patten—Solutions of Hydrochloric Acid in Solvents. 341 
hydrogen and chlorine unite without ionization, and even when 
actually conducting an electric current no increase in their rate 
of combination is observed. Also, as Mellor and Russell 4 have 
shown, these gases unite when dried by the best known means. 
Changes of color such as chromium and cobalt salts exhibit in 
aqueous solution have been attributed to changes in their ioniza¬ 
tion. But- Kahlenberg * 1 has shown that cobalt oleate dissolved 
in benzene shows the same color change on heating and cooling 
as in aqueous solution, though the benzene solution is a most 
excellent insulator. Similarly it has been claimed that the 
absorption spectra of solutions depend only upon one colored 
ion. But G. D. Liveing 2 in a most careful research has shown 
that the absorption spectra of erbium salts in aqueous solution 
do not change with changing concentration in the manner re¬ 
quired by the theory of Arrhenius. He found, too, that the 
spectra varied with the acid radicle and with the solvent used. 
The mass of evidence, then, effectually disposes of the idea 
that chemical reactions go on, even in the commonest instances, 
because of the previous splitting up of the substance into ions. 3 
It remains to< explain the fact that a third substance facilitates 
chemical action. In many cases the union of reacting sub¬ 
stances into a complex compound, and their subsequent split¬ 
ting off in altered form is a demonstrated fact. The union of 
solvent and solute in solution, and the many reactions which 
take place in solution fall directly in line with this explanation 
of the function of a third substance. 
In conclusion I wish to thank Prof. Kahlenberg for valuable 
suggestions given during the progress of this work. Also Mr- 
Wm. Brinsmaid, Mr. Eckern and Mr. Mott for careful assist¬ 
ance rendered me. 
Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, 
University of Wisconsin, 
December 25,1902. 
4 Loc. Cit. 
1 Loc. Cit. See also Lachman, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 25, 1, 50, 1903. 
2 Proc. Camb. Phil. Soc., 1899. 
3 Consult further, L. Kahlenberg, Jour. Phys. Chem. 6, 1. 1; also Bull. 
Univ. Wis. 47, Science Series, Vol. 2, No. 5, 297-351; also H. E. Patten, 
J. Phys. Chem. 6, 554, 1902. 
