. [ 66 ] 



Sulpbure Hydrogene 



This denotes the union of hepaticated fulphur (fouffre hodro- 

 gene) with any bafis ; the Englifli, I fuppofe, would call thefe 

 compounds hyrogenated /ulphurets ; this appellation does not ex- 

 prefs the compofition. I employ the term hepaticated to exprefs 

 this compofition; Berthollet has difcovered that fixed alkaline 

 hepars when diffolved, or even moift, are always in this ftate, 

 and confequently that an alkaline hepar cannot exift but in a dry 

 ftate. 



In the cafe before us we fee the confufion and perplexity occa- 

 fioned by a ftri£l adherence to the rule recommended by Lavoifier,* 

 that a conformity or connexion fliould be maintained between the 

 names of a bafis and its compounds ; in fome cafes it is highly 

 proper, and hence the different degrees of oxygenation of certain 

 a-cids are very properly indicated by a flight alteration of the 

 termination of the name of each, as fulphureous and fulphuric ; 

 but thefe names indicate only extreme Jiates, the firft only the 

 fmalleft degree of oxygenation conftituting an acid, and the lafl 

 the ftate oi perfeB faturation ; now this fame acid commonly occurs 

 in neither of thefe ftates, but in a ftate participating more or lefs 

 of both i thefe names therefore applied to it when thus circum- 



.ftanced 



• Lavoi's. p. 72 and 73. 



