Compounds of Nitrogen. 507 
obtained. Again, the residuary nitrogen was 
272.7 = 24.3; while from theory it should 
have been half the volume of the pure nitrous 
gas, viz. 22.55 4 the impurity of the latter 
1.4 = 23.95. The actual proportion of ni- 
trogen, therefore, exceeds the estimated by 
only 7th. ) 
It may be stated, then, in general terms, 
as the results of analyzing nitrous oxide and 
nitrous gas by the methods which have been 
described in this paper ; 
Istly.—That 1 volume of nitrous oxide is 
decomposed by 1 volume of carbonic oxide; 
and the products are 1 volume of carbonic 
acid and 1 volume of nitrogen. But to con- 
vert 1 volume of carbonic oxide into an equal 
volume of carbonic acid, half a volume of 
oxygen is required. ‘Therefore 1 volume of 
nitrous oxide must be constituted of 1 volume 
of nitrogen + half a volume of oxygen in 
the space of 1 volume. 
2dly.—That six volumes of nitrous gas 
require for perfect decomposition 1 volume of 
olefiant gas, and the gaseous products are 
2 volumes of carbonic acid and three volumes 
of nitrogen. But to form two volumes of 
carbonic acid by the combustion of carbon, 
two volumes of oxygen are necessary; and 
one volume of oxygen is required to saturate 
