14 Dr. Kane on the Compounds of Ammonia. 



details of the methods, which in great part resembled those already described in 

 the analyses of ammonia-turpeth, but shall merely note the quantities of mercury 

 and other constituents obtained. 

 In three analyses there resulted : 



I. II. HI. 



Mercury = 76.50 76.84 75.9 



Nitric acid = 12.66 



Ammonia = 4.01 



These three portions had been prepared and analyzed at different periods. 



The formula NO5 + nHj -\- 3 h^o gives 



There can, therefore, be no doubt of this being really the composition of the 

 substance, and if we compare it with the yellow sub-pernitrate, we shall observe a 

 very curious analogy. Thus the water in the common subnitrate is replaced by 

 ammonia, that is, by amide of hydrogen, so that the basic function which has been 

 so elegantly shown by Mitscherlich and Graham to belong to water, appears to 

 be enjoyed in a certain degree by ammonia also. This is shown, and the nature 

 of this white substance very elegantly proved, by an experiment well calculated 

 for class illustration: if some of the water subnitrate be put into a solution of 

 nitrate of ammonia, and boiled for a moment, the white powder is rapidly formed, 

 and the liquor will be found to be strongly acid. Thus, 



(H0.N05 4-3Hg-0)-|-N05NH3= (NH3. NO5 + 3Hg-o) + HONO5. 



Of the Ammonia Subnitrate, No. 2. — It having been found that, by boiling 

 the former powder with water, it altered in its appearance, and became much 



