Copulated: acids, 110 bodies

But, it may be asked, what proof is there that margaric and butyric acids contain oxalic acid It is precisely because there is no proof, that they do contain it. We have just said that copulae disguise the properties of the bodies to which they are united. If, by any reaction, we could render probable the existence of oxalic acid in margaric acid, this reaction would prove that margaric acid was not a copulated body. Reactions are quite incapable of unravelling the mystery, nought but the penetrating spirit of dualism will suffice. 

But admitting that acetic acid is a copulated body, what has that to do with the analogy subsisting between certain bodies and their chloro-derivatives Let us see. Acetic acid, say these gentlemen, contains oxalic acid, copulated with C H trichloracetic acid also contains oxalic acid, but its copula is But... 

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