The same metal is also capable of uniting with different proportions of chlorine, which, so far as has been yet ascertained, are definite, and in no case exceed two proportions to one of metal. Hence it was proposed by Davy, in fixing the nomenclature of these compounds, to designate such as contain the least proportion of chlorine by the termination _ane_, added to the Latin name of the metal, as _cuprane_ for that of copper; those containing the larger proportion of chlorine, by the termination _anea_, as _cupranea_. The chemical name of our common culinary salt, in conformity with such a nomenclature, would be _sodane_. This proposition, however, has not been adopted;[92] the compounds of metals and chlorine are either called _chlorurets_, or what is preferable, from their analogy with the similar compounds of oxygen, _chlorides_, and which are further distinguished as _protochlorides_, _deutochlorides_, &c. [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. In connexion with the history of these chlorides, a question arises of great interest and obscurity, and which has engaged the attention of some of our most distinguished chemists,--whether such a body, when dissolved by water, remains as a chloride; or, by decomposing that fluid, and combining with its elements, is not immediately converted into a muriate? With respect to several of these chlorides, no doubt can be entertained as to the fact of their decomposing water; for instance, the chloride of phosphorus is thus acted upon, the oxygen of the water forms phosphorous acid with the phosphorus, while its hydrogen unites with the chlorine to form muriatic acid; and as those products are such as do not combine with each other, but exist in a state of mixture in the water, each may be recognised by its peculiar properties. In like manner, as Davy has observed, when water is added in certain quantities to Libavius's liquor (_deutochloride of tin_), a solid crystalline mass is obtained, from which oxide of tin and muriate of ammonia can be obtained by ammonia.