on the Atomic Weights of Bodies. 193 



has been embraced by Berzelius, who makes the atom of 

 azote to weigh 0-88518, a number which exceeds the true 

 weight by almost one per cent. Dr. Wollaston on the other 

 hand considered nitrous oxide as a compound of one atom 

 oxygen and one atom azote. I embraced the same view 

 and my number has been adopted by Dr. Turner. We 

 make the atom of azote 1-75. The arguments in defence 

 of these two systems are so equally balanced, that it is im- 

 possible to say which are right or which wrong. But, per- 

 haps, before I finish this paper, I may be able to suggest 

 seme considerations which will throw the balance on one 

 side and make the other kick the beam. 



From the evidence adduced in the preceding part of this 

 paper, I consider myself entitled to conclude, that the 

 atomic weights of oxygen, sulphur, carbon, hydrogen and 

 azote are as follow : 



Oxygen . 1 



Sulphur 2 



Carbon. 0-75 or -375 or 1-5 



Hydrogen 0-125 or 0-0625 



Azote . 1-75 or 875 



The experimental result for hydrogen is 0-1249, which 

 deviating less than r^th part from 0-125, I assume that 

 number for the true one. It is generally adopted in Great 

 Britain, and also by many of the Continental chemists. 

 And it has the important advantage, that it makes the 

 atomic weights of the other simple substances, simple mul- 

 tiples of that of hydrogen. 



The atom of sulphur deduced from experiment beino- 

 1-9999, I presume the most squeamish will not hesitate 

 to admit that the true number is 2. 



The atom of carbon from experiment is 0*748. Now, as 

 Berzelius' number is 0-764, and as 0-75 = 0-125 x 6, we 

 cannot hesitate to adopt 0-75, or its half, or double, as the 

 true number. 



The atom of azote deduced from the composition of air is 

 1-75 or 0-875. 



We shall next consider how far these numbers are sup- 

 ported by the specific gravity of the gaseous bodies into 

 which these bodies enter as constituents. 

 (To be continued.) 



vol. in. u 



