Dana on Nitrous Gas. 347 
does not exist in any known compound of oaygpre with 
azote. Itis perfectly well established that 
100 vols. of oxygene unite with 400 vols, of nitrous gas and form Hyponi- 
[trous acid. 
100. « $6 “6 200 sé “ Nitrous acid, and 
100 « “ “ec 133.33 “<< sé Nitric acid. 
The existence of the hyponitrous acid, which has been 
doubted, is confirmed by the observations which follow. 
When we mix, therefore, 100 parts of atmostpheric air, 
with 100 parts of nitrous gas, the diminution in volume, 
if nitric acid only be formed, should be 49 parts ; 
if nitrous acid only, 66 poud : 
if hyponitrous acid only, = 105 par 
ut exper/ment teaches us that the diminution of volume 
is actually 84 parts, and that all the oxygene disappears ; 
now this degree of diminution can be produced only by the 
formation and absorption of Ayponitrous acid and of nitrous 
acid ; and the oxygene present is equally divided between 
tem; viz. 
50 vols. of ‘+0 with 200 nit g d form hyponitrous acid, 
aa vols. e, “ 100 % «6 nitrous acid. 
“100 300 
Or, as in the analysis of the air, which contains 21 per 
cent. of oxygene, and the diminution amounts to 84 parts 
when 100 each of air and nitrous gas are st ti 
One half its oxygen, equ 0.5 vols. 
Unites, to Rit Ky foladtrodl ne with nitrous BAS, 120 vols. 
e remainder of the ox gen 10.5 vols. 
To form nitrous acid, unites with nitrous gas, 21.0 vols. 
84.0 vols. 
All of which are condensed, equal . ~ 
fact ; and the experiment confirms ig existence wl 
Produces nitrites is no 
Part we know very il 
