262 On Chemical Nomenclature. 
the definition of that word given in the treatise of the distinguished 
author of the nomenclature. 
_ After stating my objections to the basis of the Berzelian nomen- 
elature; I proceeded to mention those to which I considered the su- 
-perstructure as liable. 
Having designated the acid compounds of his amphigen class, by 
prefixing syllables indicating their electro-negative ingredients ; hav- 
ing also in some instances, as in those of the fhubailidie, and fluobo- 
ric acids, adopted this course in relation to halogen bodies ; I objec- 
ted to the use of the word hydracid, in which the electro-positive 
radical is made to act as if coordinate with oxygen. 
Moreover, the termination in ide having been generally attached 
to the electro-positive compounds of oxygen, acting as bases, I con- 
demned the employment of that termination, to distinguish the elec- 
tro-negative and acid compounds of sulphur, selenium, and telluri- 
um. I considered it inconsistent to give precedence to the syllable 
designating the radical in the acids formed with hydrogen; as in 
hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydriodic, hydrofluoric, hydrofluoboric, 
hydrofluosilicic, preferring the terms chlorohydric, bromohydric, io- 
dohydric, fluohydroboric, fluohydrosilicic, &c., in which I have been 
sanctioned by Thenard and others 
I proposed a definition of an ‘eta and a base, which I conceived 
to be the only one which could be adopted, consistently with the use 
made of those words by Berzelius, and other distinguished chemists; 
and advanced that, agreeable to that definition, his double haloid 
salts must be considered as simple salts, severally formed of an acid 
and a base. 
I objected to his treating the words combustion and oxygenation 
as synonymous. 
’ Having thus made the reader acquainted with the substance of my 
criticisms upon the Berzelian nomenclature, I will subjoin his letter 
in answer to them, and will then state, and sosmecani to justify, the 
concJusions at which I have arrived. 
Letter from Prof. J. J. Berzelius of Stockholm to R. Hare, M.D., 
Professor of Chemistry in the University of Pennsylvania, acknow- 
ledging the receipt of a communication respecting Nomenclature, 
7 and replying thereto. 
Stockholm, September 23, 1934- 
Sir am very much obliged to you for the remarks, which, 
under the date of June 21st, you had the friendship to communicate 
