Dr. Kane on the Compounds of Ammonia. 73 



the ammonia salts. Thus according to my ideas, as well as in the Berzelian 

 view, the c/nh^ replaces c^k, and onh^ replaces ok in combination, and also nh^, 

 if isolated, should be considered as fulfilling the functions of k ; but in the theory 

 now proposed an additional step is made, by which we are conducted to a closer 

 and more distinct view of the inner constitution of these bodies. 



When we place in contact two substances both compound, and which mu- 

 tually combine, in order to judge of the mode in which these elements unite, we 

 must examine the nature of the affinities by which a breaking up of the original 

 constitution might be effected, and likewise those which would tend to maintain 

 the two constituents in their primitive condition, and allow merely of their union 

 with one another. On these circumstances, and by the general mode of reaction 

 of the new substances formed, must the construction of its rational formula be 

 founded. If we contemplate the reaction of dry chloride of hydrogen and 

 amidide of hydrogen, when brought into contact, we shall not be able to trace 

 any tendency in the latter to deprive the chlorine of the hydrogen with which it 

 is united ; on the contrary, we find the affinity of chlorine for hydrogen so pre- 

 ponderating, that ammonia, by its agency, may be reduced to simple azote. It 

 is therefore contrary to all first principles of chemical affinity to believe, that in 

 the combination of the chloride with the amidide of hydrogen, all the hydrogen 

 can exist in one group of the formula, whilst chlorine alone constitutes the other; 

 since, if we had amidogene or ammonium isolated, there can be no doubt but that 

 chlorine could take hydrogen from both. That assumption could only become 

 justifiable if rendered necessary by strongly corroborating facts, and it will be 

 found that no facts at all sufficiently in point can be brought forward. 



Regarding ammonia as amidide of hydrogen, its union with chloride of 

 hydrogen becomes but a particular case, although one of the most important, of 

 the general tendency of chlorides, oxides, and amidides of the same or of similar 

 radicals, to unite and form double chlor-oxides, chlor-amidides, or oxamidides. 

 In fact, if we look to the formation of white precipitate by corrosive sublimate 

 and water of ammonia, it will be seen that the decomposition and combinations 

 are on each side quite symmetrical ; thus, there is 



2Hgcl-^ 2HAd= (Hgcl-{- BgAd) + (HcZ-f- HA(/). 



The two resulting compounds, white precipitate and sal ammoniac, being strictly 

 bodies of the same type, one containing quicksilver and the other hydrogen. 



VOL. XIX. h 



