performed with extreme caution, and only with very small quantities;
because, as the oxygen enters into the composition of nitrats, and more
especially of oxygenated muriats, combined with almost as much caloric
as is necessary for converting it into oxygen gas, this immense quantity
of caloric becomes suddenly free the instant of the combination of the
oxygen with the combustible body, and produces such violent explosions
as are perfectly irresistible.
By the humid way we can oxygenate most combustible bodies, and convert
most of the oxyds of the three kingdoms of nature into acids. For this
purpose we chiefly employ the nitric acid, which has a very slight hold
of oxygen, and quits it readily to a great number of bodies by the
assistance of a gentle heat. The oxygenated muriatic acid may be used
for several operations of this kind, but not in them all.
I give the name of _binary_ to the combinations of oxygen with the
simple substances, because in these only two elements are combined. When
three substances are united in one combination I call it _ternary_, and
_quaternary_ when the combination consists of four substances united.
TABLE _of the combinations of Oxygen with the compound radicals._
_Names of the radicals._ _Names of the resulting acids._
_New nomenclature._ _Old nomenclature._
Nitro muriatic} Nitro muriatic acid Aqua regia.
radical }
(A)
Tartaric Tartarous acid Unknown till lately.
Malic Malic acid Ditto.
Citric Citric acid Acid of lemons.
Pyro-lignous Pyro-lignous acid Empyreumatic acid of wood.
Pyro-mucous Pyro-mucous acid Empyr. acid of sugar.
Pyro-tartarous Pyro-tartarous acid Empyr. acid of tartar.
Oxalic Oxalic acid Acid of sorel.
Acetic {Acetous acid Vinegar, or acid of vinegar.
{Acetic acid Radical vinegar.
Succinic Succinic acid Volatile salt of amber.
142