xlvi Historical Sketch of the Physical Sciences, 1818. 
the inference that the azote and hydrogen in the acid exist in 
the same ratio as they do in ammonia, merely because ammonia 
was formed when the acid was decomposed. Before such a 
conclusion can be admitted as demonstrated, it would be neces-_ 
sary to show that the whole of the azote and hydrogen is employed 
in the formation of ammonia, which Grotthus hasnotdone. When 
cyanogen is decomposed by allowing it to stand dissolved in 
water, ammonia is formed, yet the azote and hydrogen do not 
exist in that substance in the same proportion as in ammonia. 
When concentrated nitric acid is made to'act upon tin, am- 
monia is evolved; yet one of the constituents of it in this case 
is derived from the acid, and the other from the water. 
Vogel has pointed out other inaccuracies in the mode of 
analysis adopted by Grotthuss, which destroys all the deductions 
which that chemist has endeavoured to establish. He himself 
is disposed to consider the acid as a compound of hydrocyanic 
acid and sulphur; but this cannot be established without a more 
rigid analysis than has yet been given. Mr. Porrett’s analysis 
is by far the most ingenious and complete one which has yet 
appeared ; but it is not quite satisfactory. 
Grotthuss is of opmion that this acid is a hydracid, or a 
compound of hydrogen united to a base. To this supposed base, 
which however he did not succeed in obtaining in a separate 
state, he has given the unwieldy appellation of anthrazothion. 
I consider it as needless to make any observations on his names! 
as there is no great probability of their being adopted, at least 
_in Great Britain ; their enormous length alone would be an in- 
surmountable objection. Indeed I think it ought to be laid 
down as a rule in chemistry, that the names of substances 
should not exceed two, or three or four syllables at most. This 
supposed base is considered by Grotthuss as a compound of 
all the constituents of sulpho-chyazic acid, except the hydrogen ; 
namely, 
3 atoms sulphur...... meres 6-60 
1 atom carbon ..... saps OWS 
be atom, azote’ 02 basa be E75 
. —- 
; 8-50 
But we have no evidence of the existence of this supposed 
base, at least in a separate state. I conceive it to be unneces- 
sary to notice any of the many other important facts contained 
in the memoirs of Grotthuss and Vogel. I must refer the reader 
for farther information to the memoirs themselves as they are 
printed in the Annals of Philosophy, xiii. 39, 89, 101.* 
* Since the observations contained in the text were written, Mr. Porrett has 
published a new analysis of this acid, and has shown that his former notions 
respecting its composition were correct. We may therefore consider it as a com- 
3 
