Have you not told us just now that oxy-muriatic gas was itself a compound of muriatic acid and oxygen?
MRS. B.
Yes; but according to Sir H. Davy’s hypothesis, oxy-muriatic gas is considered as a simple body, which contains no oxygen—as a substance of its own kind, which has a great analogy to oxygen in most of its properties, though in others it differs entirely from it.—According to this view of the subject, the name of oxy-muriatic acid can no longer be proper, and therefore Sir H. Davy has adopted that of chlorine, or chlorine gas, a name which is simply expressive of its greenish colour; and in compliance with that philosopher’s theory, we have placed chlorine in our table among the simple bodies.
CAROLINE.
But what was Sir H. Davy’s reason for adopting an opinion so contrary to that which had hitherto prevailed?
MRS. B.
There are many circumstances which are favourable to the new doctrine; but the clearest and simplest fact in its support is, that if hydrogen gas and oxy-muriatic gas be mixed together, both these gases disappear, and muriatic acid gas is formed.
EMILY.
That seems to be a complete proof; is it not considered as perfectly conclusive?
MRS. B.