Dr. Kane on the Compounds of Ammonia. 



An analysis of neutral sulphate of mercury gave 



! ;■. .Viltff. Vi,r,. Experiment. Theory h^o.sOj 



Sulphuric acid = 26.72 

 Oxide of mercury = 72.98 



99.70 

 Three analyses of turpeth mineral gave 



I. 

 Sulphuric acid = 10.89 

 Oxide of mercury = 88.71 



99.60 100.11 99.84 



The theory of ngo. SO3 + 2 h^o should give 



Sulphuric acid = 10.91 



Oxide of mercury = 89.09 



I would not have brought forward even this notice of the numbers I obtained, 

 were it not that from the high authority by which some of the incorrect results 

 had been supported, and their insertion in some of the most approved ele- 

 mentary books, it might have appeared objectionable to make any one of the 

 various formulas given the foundation of a chain of reasoning, without having 

 first established by experiment its superiority over the rest. 



II. OF AMMONIA SUB-PEKSULPHATE OF MERCURY. 



When persulphate of mercury is treated by water of ammonia, it is converted 

 into a white powder, which appears to be almost insoluble in water. In general, 

 on the first addition of the water of ammonia, there is some turpeth mineral 

 formed, which however gradually disappears, and the product is an uniformly 

 white powder. This reaction takes place more rapidly by boiling, but the nature 

 of the result is the same. If turpeth mineral be boiled, or treated in the cold 

 with water of ammonia, it is converted into the same white substance, as shall be 

 proved by the analyses subjoined. The existence of this white ammoniacal sub- 

 sulphate was noticed by Fourcroy, but he made no analysis of it, nor has it ever 

 been, at least to my knowledge, subjected to an accurate investigation. 



This substance is heavy ; it is not decomposed by water, which, however, dis- 



B 2 



