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drogen of the vol-alkali partially decompofes the nitrous acid, and 

 converts it either into nitrous air, which by contadt with the at- 

 mofphere reforms nitrous acid, is reabforbed, and attrading more 

 moifture forms the excefs of acid and increafe of weight which is 

 fometimes found ; or the acid is fo far decompofed as to become 

 rudimental nitrous air, which is the fubftance Dr. Prieftly calls 

 depblogijlicated nitrous air, which refufing all combination, flies off 

 and occafions a lofs of weight; fometimes both changes take 

 place. 



Berthollet =^diftilled 1 152 grains of dry nitrated vol-alkali in 

 a hydro-pneumatic apparatus, confifting of a retort, two enfiladed 

 receivers, and a jar to receive air, 1080 grains pafled out of the 

 retort into the receiver, confequently 72; grains only remained in 

 the retort. 



The enfiladed receivers contained 619 grains of a liquor highly 

 acid, and much rudimental nitrous air (what Dr. Prieftly calls de- 

 phlogifticated nitrous air) was produced, the weight of this or other 

 air and water, produced and loft, coqfequently amounted to 461 

 grains, for 1080 — 619 = 461. 



To difcover the contents of the 619 grains of acid liquor he 



diflilled it in a water bath, there remained in the retort 320 grains 



Vol. VII. N n of 



• Mem. Par. 1785, 316. 



