COM a enta! a rem JERAS prepared oxalate of lead by pouring a solution of pure oxalic acid into a solution of pure and neutral nitrate of lead. I did not emis espa ploy acetate of lead, because that salt combines in part with all the substances which precipitate from it, as I have shown in my experiments on carbonate of lead, and more particularly in my Essay on Organic Combinations. Oxalate of lead contains no water of combination; hence it is easily dried, and requires only to be heated a few degrees above the temperature of the atmosphere. I 0738 burnt it in a capsule of thin glass, of which I had exactly deter1 mined the weight. I heated it in the flame of a spirit lamp, zelf , a taking care to apply the first heat near the edge of the glass, and O DI advancing gradually to the centre. The oxalate takes fire and water of combination contained in that salt. difficulties in the atomic theory, it was not my intention to refute is that hypothesis. I wanted to lay open all the difficulties of that hypothesis , that nothing might escape our attention calculated to throw light on the subject. I wished the experiments to verify the theory; and I should have considered it as absurd, if I had taken the opposite road. I placed beside the corpuscular theory, a theory of volumes; because that theory is in some measure connected with facts which may be verified. To those who think that the like theory of volumes may be fatal to the corpuscular theory, I would observe, that both are absolutely the same thing; but that the theory of volumes has this immediate advantage over the other, may be more easily verified. Let us suppose for a moment, that the theory of volumes were absolutely demonstrated. We would then ask, what is the difference between a solid and gaseous body? The answer would restore to the corpuscular theory its rights. It would be demonstrated by that of volumes. The only difference between the two theories consists in the words atom and 20lume, that is to say, in the state of aggregation of the elements, lot that it a 2. The propor Chemical proportions begin to be inore generally studied; but chemists are not agreed about the laws which regulate them. One party waits the opinion of those whom they consider as authorities ; and these last appear to siispend their judgment, because the opinion requires to be verified by experiments, the number and difficulty of which is revolting to their minds. Let me be permitted to point out here, what in my opinion ought to be the principal object of their examination. Chemical proportions depend upon two cardinal points : 1. The proportions in which the elementary atoms' unite. tions in which the compound atoms combine. The first of these is a necessary consequence of the atomic theory; and as the number of combinations which it includes is very limited, almost the whole of them have been examined, without finding a single exception to the law. Hence this point is very generally admitted. The case is very different with the second point. It includes an almost infinite number of compounds, varying in their elements as to the number of compound atoms which they contain. I have examined a great number of these substances, and as they are for the most part composed of oxides, I paid particular attention to the oxygen which they contain. The laws which I considered myself as entitled to establish from these experiments are well known. The first cardinal point being established we must endeavour to establish or refute the second. If the accuracy of my experiments be adınitted, I think their number is such that the second point also may be considered as verified. If this accuracy be not admitted, it is obviously necessary to repeat my esperiments, and produce other analogous ones. My experiments have informed me how very difficult and even painful this kind of labour is ; but it is absolutely necessary. I know of only two chemists who have hitherto occupied themselves with this examination, namely, Mr. Vogel, of Bayreuth; and Dr. Thomson, of London. The first undertook the analysis of a set of double salts, mostly containing water of crystallization; that is to say, composed of three or four oxides. The results which he obtained corresponded with the law, Dr. Thomson has in a theoretic dissertation gone over a great number of saline combinations. He inclines to admit the law. This law is of much more importance than may be supposed at first. It deserves therefore the most careful and impartial examination. Were it not for this law, no combination composed of several oxides could be calculated, nor any analysis verified in a decisive manner for the theory. For it is clear, that if there be combinations expressible, for example, by 2 AOS + 4 B OP + 7 CO + 5 HO; or if nature were to allow us to change the numbers in the formulas in any manner whatever, in such a case, all idea of determinate proportions would disappear, in proportion as these combinations became more complicated. It is likewise by means of the law concerning the combination و of oxides with each other, that we can hope to penetrate into the secrets of organic composition. When that law is demonstrated, the theory of chemical proportions may be considered as established. It is absolutely necessary, that every person who repeats an analysis in order to ascertain its accuracy, should be acquainted with all the requisites to make an exact analysis, in the same degree as the author of the work which he proposes to examine. Otherwise, he takes upon him to judge his master. Accurate chemical analysis is half an art, half a science. He who does not unite both in one, will never be in a condition to make an exact analysis. We must always chuse that method in which the precision of result depends the least on the dexterity of the operator. We must likewise be able, from long experience, to avoid all the circumstances by which the result would be rendered inaccurate, that neither from forgetfulness, carelessness, or ignorance, we may neglect to observe and remove them. These circumstances are generally of such a nature that chemists usually pay no attention to them; yet they are of considerable importance when our object is to obtain the utmost possible accuracy. The most skilful chemist will continue long an apprentice in the art of analysis, if he has not been in the habit, from the commencement of his studies, to attend to these circumstances. Long experience is even often necessary before we discover their existence, unless we have the advantage of being informed by others. When we have to judge between two different analytical methods, or between two different chemists, we must be well acquainted with the methods employed; and both the method and the reputation of the author ought to enter for something in our judgment. If, for example, we have to compare two experiments on the composition of a metallic oxide, one of which was made by dissolving the metal in nitric acid in a phial, from which the acid was then evaporated, and the residue exposed to a strong heat : if the other i was made by precipitating the solution in nitric acid by means of an alkali, filtrating, &c., it is presumable, that supposing the same dexterity in the operators, the first experiment is more accurate than the second, because it has been less exposed to the influence of circumstances. It is necessary, however, that he who judges of two results, should know the circumstances that may render the one or the other inexact. We must know, for example, that the first expériment can scarcely have any other error, than giving too great a quantity of oxygen to the oxide. This may be either owing to the application of too little heat, or (which is more usual) to the glass not having resisted the action of the nitric acid during the evaporation, so that a little nitre is formed, the acid of which increases the weight of the oxygen that we think we have found. (This circumstance long deceived me in my first experiments before 1 perceived it.) The other method of operating can have no other error than indicating too little oxygen, if ammonia has been emVoL, V. N° II. con three Opera uit the 5572321 sed od I in a 22 В 0 hance I CAN tra ployed to precipitate the oxide. But if a fixed alkali has been employed, the result may be too great, as well as too small; for if the precipitate has not been well washed, there will remain in it nitrate of potash or of soda. Or if too much alkali has been employed in precipitating, a portion of that alkali for the most part combines with the oxide, and cannot afterwards be removed by washing. But I should never have done, were I to point out here all the circumstances requisite to make an accurate analysis, and to judge of its accuracy. It is obvious, that the theory of chemical proportions is intimately connected with the general theory of chemistry; but it is necessary, that those who labour either to examine it, to verify it, to extend, or apply it, should have their eyes constantly fixed upon the whole of chemistry. They must not adopt any theoretical explanation, till they have seen that it is not in contradiction with any other part of the theory, which we have reason to consider as well founded. This is a circumstance which chemists often neglect, though it is of the highest importance; and without attending to it, we cannot expect to make any valuable improvement in the theory of chemistry. Long custom is necessary, and a very extensive acquaintance indeed with chemistry, to have, so to speak, the whole science before our eyes, in order to be able to judge, without long reflection, whether an ingenious explanation of some phenomenon be inconsistent or not with some other part of the theory. It is from not attending to this circumstance, that chea mists of the greatest distinction sometimes adopt ideas respecting some points, which are inconsistent with other opinions equally adopted by them. I shall here give an example of this. Dr. Thomson, whose merits as a skilful chemist do not stand in need of any panegyric from me, has examined, (Annals of Philosophy, iii. 139,) the laws relating to the combination of oxides with each other; an examination for which chemists are much obliged to him. He " the more I have examined this law, the more correct in general does it appear.". In the same volume, page 106, speaking of iodine, this philosopher expresses himself as follows: "How 66 much these new discoveries must alter the presently received chemical theory, and how they serve to confirm Davy's opinion respecting muriatic acid, is too obvious to escape attention. But had the author at this moment called to his mind the constitution of the submuriates with water of combination, he would have found that the laws concerning the combination of oxides, and the theory of Davy respecting muriatic acid, are absolutely irreconcileable; and that either the one or the other of these must be abandoned as erroneous. If, at this time, the external resemblance of crystallized iodine to the oxide of manganese crystallized had recalled the last of these to his mind, he would perhaps have found, that it is not more difficult to conceive how the first disengages an excess of oxygen to combine with the bases, than then says, been how the last disengages an excess of oxygen to combine with the acids. * But I have allowed myself perhaps to be carried too far by ideas which have spontaneously followed each other in my mind. I hope, however, that I have drawn the attention of the reader to circumstances which may be of some importance in the examination of chemical proportions, as well as in the theory of chemistry in general. ARTICLE XI. Ey upon etica with er a Magnetical Observations at Hackney Wick. By Col. Beaufos. Latitude, 51° 32' 40'3'' North, Longitude West in Time 6'10 8e ading 1814. of the ectie qually Dec. 18 8h 50' 24° 17' 27" 1h 250 24° 21' 31" 20 24 20 48 25 24 19 55 1 35 24 20 28 ரா Ditto 31 at gh_44'..... West. Ditto West. Not obs. Ditto in Nov. at hare thie i be en * I must make a remark here. It has already struck me more than once, that Dr. Berzelius and myself reason from different principles; for he has frequently pointed out facts which he said were inconsistent with the theory of muriatic acid by Davy, when I myself could not perceive any inconsistency in them. Even in the present example, I feel myself in the same predicament. I am uuable to see any inconsistency between the facts established respecting the submuriates, and the opinions I entertain respecting chlorive. But if Dr. Berzelius will state this inconsistency in plain terms, so that I can see what he means, I shall examine it, and if I find it to be as he says, I shall be very ready to embrace hii opinion, T. stalo 1 2 |