404 ~ Supplement to the Memoir on 
the subnitrite at the minimum of M. Proust, decomposed by the 
carbonic acid. M. Berzelius in treating them with water ob- 
tained subnitrate from them. He thinks that this last is formed 
during the operation; but what I have reported above seems to 
contradict this opinion. These crystals, according to this che- 
mist, give 0°70 of residue when we distil them. I have said 
that they may be formed of acid nitrate and of nitrite: the re- 
sult of M. Berzelius supports this conjecture. If there exists a 
neutral nitrite, we ought to find it im the solution of pure sub- 
nitrite at the minimum passed over earboric acid and left to 
itself. See the note to No. 37 in my memoir. 
M. Berzelius says that the white pellicle which is formed by 
the contact of the air in the solution of the subnitrates is sub- 
nitrate: I regard it as being produced by the combination of 
the carbonic acid of the air with the oxide of lead. 1 found my 
opinion upon the subnitrite at the minimum, when dissolved in 
water, not giving any white pellicle when it is in contact with 
pure oxygen gas, and when it is disturbed by a single atom of 
carbonic acid: I do not pretend, in short, that the carbonate of 
lead which is precipitated is not mixed with a little subnitrate : 
I have not made any experiment to enable me to ascertain the 
contrary. > 
M. Berzelius, having seen that the subnitrite at the minimum 
left 0-SO of base when it was distilled, and that the greatest 
part of the acid disengaged was condensed in the water of ery- 
stallization in the state of fuming nitric acid, endeavoured to 
determine, according to the laws which he had discovered, the 
relation of the water to the acid. He determined this ratio on 
the hypothesis that azote is a simple body, and also that it is a 
compound of oxygen and ammonium. On the first hypothesis, 
the subnitrite at the minimum ought to be formed : 
NCid a) caiimnd se ABI 
BASES abe sm ainjnipc ol eer ao 
Wate’ | 00a tigen WSF 
But according to M. Berzelius, this result is inadmissible, be- 
cause the, water is in too small quantity to enable it to con- 
dense the greater part of the acid to the liquid state, and this 
quantity does not agree with the law of the water of crystal- 
lization of salts. According to the second hypothesis, the sub- 
nitrite ought to be formed: 
Gg oss Sa re 
Oxide... sera Scie ee SO 
WREST 3: pe aie tal Wiet'oi ate CMa oe 
M. Berzelius admits this result, because it agrees with the 
laws which he has established: thus the base contains 5°72 
oxygen, water 5-88, and the nitrous acid twice as much. 
T have 
