1 8 Dr. Kane on the Compounds of Ammonia. 



The formula 3(nh40 . NO5) -\- Ango gives 



4h^ = 405.60 59.78 



4o = 32.00 4.72 



3NH3 = 51.42 7.58 



SnOj = 162.42 23.94 



3ho = 27.00 3.98 



678.44 100.00 



I do not consider the rational formula of this compound so simple as should 

 appear from the above expression. It is most likely to contain the ammoniacal 

 subnitrate ready formed ; it being decomposed by contact with water, and yield- 

 ing that substance. If the mercury be as Soubeiran's subnitrate, the formula 

 presents a curious relation ; thus, 



3 (NH4O . NOj) -\- 4 H^o =r 



(NOj-Hg-O + 2Hg-0 -\- UgAd) + 2(n05. ho -|- 2hO -f HA6?). 



The facility with which this salt may be formed by heating red oxide of mer- 

 cury with nitrate of ammonia might be used as an argument for the former view. 



VI. OF THE NITRATES OF THE BLACK OXIDE OF MERCURY. 



In the memoir to which I have had so frequently occasion to refer, George 

 Mitscherlich described two crystallized proto-nitrates of mercury, and gave 

 detailed analyses of them. I have had occasion to confirm his results, and I 

 consequently consider the composition of these two salts as well established. I 

 shall not describe any of my own analyses of them, but merely insert the formulae 

 derived from the numbers of Mitscherlich, in order that the substances, next to 

 be examined, may be compared with them. 



The salt obtained in transparent rhombs from an acid liquor has the formula 

 (h^o -j- NO3) -{• 2 HO, and consists of 



Black oxide of mercury = 74.54 1 

 Nitric acid = 19-09 ■ 100.00 



Water = 6.37 



When this salt is digested with more black oxide of mercury, or when an acid 

 solution of it is left standing on an excess of mercury, the crystals which are de- 



