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in Mixture with other Bodies. It has been called the Vague Acid, and the Univerſal Acid.
We have been accuſtomed to meet, with it under two diſtinct Forms; and to know it under the Names of two Species: Theſe are the Vitriolic and the Muriatic Acid: And to theſe we are lately taught to add a third, which, from the Place where it has been diſcovered, Authors have called the Swediſh Acid; and to which ſome, tho' very improperly, have given the Name of the Sparry Acid. Perhaps, in diſtinction from the other two, it may be better named the Stony Acid; ſince the Subftance from which we obtain it is a Stone; tho' not a Spar.
There are many who hold theſe Acids to be eſſentially diſtinct. Perhaps they are ſo: But it ſeems more probable, that they are only different Modifications of one and the ſame Spirit: And perhaps it will not be carrying the Opinion too far to ſuppofe this one univerſal Acid to be the Baſis alſo, and Foundation of the nitrous; and even of the animal and vegetable Acids, the urnious, the fermented, &c.
Chymiſts of great Knowledge have proved the very near Relation between the vitriolic, and the nitrous Acid; and ſome: by fair Experiments have alſo ſhewn there is a great Analogy between the nitrous and the marine or muriatic. They have endeavoured to prove, from theſe Experiments, that the nitrous, and the vitriolic on the one Part, and that the nitrous and muriatic, on the other, have ſo
