Dr. Kane on the Compounds of Ammonia. 27 



PART II. 



ON THE AMMONIACAL COMPOUNDS OF COPPER AND ZINC, AND ON THE BASIC 

 CHLORIDES AND SULPHATES OF THOSE METALS. 



In developing the real nature of the series of quicksilver combinations which 

 contain ammonia or its elements, it was found, that the quantity of the metal pre- 

 sent, from its large equivalent number, preponderated so considerably over that 

 of the other constituents of the various bodies analyzed, as to render the absolute 

 exclusion of all theoretical views but that ultimately found correct, extremely 

 difficult, and it was consequently my object, from the commencement, to re- 

 examine in detail the ammonia compounds of certain metals with smaller atomic 

 weights, in order, by an accumulation of numerical facts, to lay the foundation 

 for a true theory of this class of combinations. 



The group of metals, the compounds of which are discussed in the present 

 section, is one exceedingly natural, and possessed of characters, particularly in 

 relation to ammonia, which, when compared with those exhibited by quicksilver, 

 should lead the chemist to expect the most remarkable results. Whilst the pre- 

 cipitates given by quicksilver solutions with ammonia are insoluble in an excess 

 of the precipitant, those given by the metals now to be examined easily redissolve, 

 and the peculiar character of the zinc compounds redissolving in an excess of the 

 fixed alcalies, presents a point of contact, the study of which must be of the 

 highest interest. 



It will be found that I have connected with the analyses of the ammonia 

 compounds, the examination of a number of basic salts, and of other substances 

 which do not contain ammonia. Generally speaking, I was obliged to occupy 

 myself with these bodies, in order to elucidate difficult passages in the history of 

 the ammonia compounds, and though I have often apparently wandered from 

 my way for the purpose of obtaining either a more elevated point of view, or a 

 more extensive basis for analogical deductions, yet as the discovery of such 

 bodies will be found, I trust, to present so many new facts in science, the proofs 

 of their existence and composition will be given in this memoir, whilst I shall 

 avoid as much as possible entering into any speculations concerning their real 



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