1825.] M. Berzelim'i Hypothesis of the Atomic Theory. S41 



therefore, be formed of 4 atoms of alumina and 3 atoms of acid, 

 in order to preserve the ratio of 2 : 1 ; the oxygen of this salt, 

 therefore, is 18 ; but an atom of silicate of alumina contains 

 only 6 atoms of oxygen, because these two oxides have each 

 3 atoms ; and as the oxygen of the silicate must be double that 

 of the fluate, there must be in this compound 6 atoms of silicate? 

 On these data topaz is formed of 



Silicate of alumina 68*70 



Bi-aluminous fluate 31*30 



100-00 

 Or, taking the elements separately, 



Silica 33-00 



Alumina 35*72 



{Fluoric acid 7*61 

 Alumina 23*67 



{: 



100-00 

 Or, 



Silica 33-00 



Fluoric acid . , 7-61 



Alumina 59-39 



100-00 

 Or, on the first hypothesis, 



Fluo-silicic acid 40*61 



Alumina 59-39 



100-00 



In his Nouveau St/steme Miner alogi que, Berzelius frequently 

 calculates the results of the analyses of minerals consisting of 

 metallic alloys, or sulphurets, from the quantity of oxygen 

 which each ingredient would take if reduced to proportionate 

 degrees of oxidation. 



An ore of antimoniated silver, analyzed by Klaproth, gave 



Silver 77 



Antimony 23 



100 



and its atomic constitution is thus calculated by Berzelius,* 



Argent 77 1 prenant oxygene indegres r5.798. 2. 77 

 Antimoine 23jproportionels d'oxidation. 1,2.850. 1. 23 



" NouTeau Systime, p. 50. 



