[88] Dr. Thomson has more recently explained the operation, by supposing that water is decomposed, and that its hydrogen goes to the chlorine, and its oxygen to the water, forming with the latter a deutoxide of hydrogen, or the oxygenated water of Thénard, which he considers as the true bleaching principle.
[89] Experience has not confirmed the value of this suggestion. Davy imagined that the vegetable fibre was injured by the saline residuum; and having found that muriate of magnesia was less corrosive than muriate of lime, he was led to propose the substitute above stated. The fact, however, is, that the fibre is injured by the chlorine; and as this body has only a slight affinity for magnesia, it too quickly abandons it; and consequently the oxymuriate of lime is still preferred.
[90] From ευ and χλωρος.
[91] The most vivid effects of combustion known are those produced by the condensation of oxygen, or chlorine: but in this instance, a violent explosion with heat and light is produced by their separation, and expansion; a perfectly novel circumstance in chemical philosophy.
[92] A little reflection will convince us that such a nomenclature could never have been adopted with propriety. It is in direct defiance of the Linnæan precept, that a specific name must not be united to the generic as a termination; besides which, such terms could never have been preserved in translations into other languages.
[93] For an admirable paper upon this subject by Mr. R. Phillips, in which all the material points of the subject are considered with that acumen which distinguishes its author, see Annals of Philosophy, vol. i. New Series.
[94] Sir Humphry Davy, during some experiments on the diamond, subsequently ascertained that less than 100th of a grain of water is sufficient to produce a sensible dew on a polished surface.
[95] Royal Institution Journal, vol. i. p. 283.
[96] There were four hundred tickets issued for the Course, sixty of which were honorary; the produce of the remainder amounted to 672l. 5s. 3d. Davy received 525l.; and the surplus went to officers and servants, and for the discharge of incidental expenses.
[97] These Courses were more numerously attended than those in 1810, there having been issued about five hundred and twenty-five tickets; the proceeds of which were 1101l. 2s.