44 On the Daltonian Theory of [Jclt, 



Number of "Weight of an 



, atoms. integrant particle. 



J 2. Nitrous oxide 1 o + 2 a 2*756 



13. N'wous acid 2 o + 1 a 2*878 



14. Nitric acid 3 o + 1 a 3*87S 



15. Phosphorous acid 1 o + 1 p 2*320 



16'. Phosphoric acid 2 o + 1 p 3*320 



17. Sulphurous acid 2 o + 1 s 4*000 



18. Sulphuric acid 3 + 1 s 5*000 



19. Olefiani gas 1 h + 1 c 0*883 g 



20. Carbureted hydrogen . . .2 h + 1 c 1*015 



21. Ammonia 2 h + 1 a 1*142 h 



22. Hydrophosphoric gas . .2 h + 1 p 1*584' 



on the nitrites of lead. What is usually called nitrous acid is a 

 compound cf 1 integrant particle of nitric acid with 1 integrant 

 particle of nitrous gas. But such a compound cannot be made 

 to unite with bases. Yet it is obvious that nitrous acid is capable 

 of forming permanent salts. This was shown long ago by 

 Scbeele, and still more recently by Chevreul. 



s This corresponds exactly with my analysis of olefiant gas. 

 My analysis of carbureted hydrogen gas does not correspond 

 quite so well ; though the difference is not greater than between 

 the result of n.y analysis and that of Mr. Dalton, and others 

 who have examined this gas. 1 consider the proofs adduced by 

 Mr. Dalton respecting the composition of these two gases as 

 conclusive. 1 have made too many experiments on them myself 

 to be capable of yielding my assent to the statements of Ber- 

 thollet on the subject, as given in Cuvier's account of the labours 

 of the Institute for 1812, which will be found in a preceding 

 Dumber of this Journal. 



11 1 have stated my reasons before for considering ammonia as 

 a compound ot 2 atoms of hydrogen and 1 atom of azote. 

 There is still something mysterious about the composition of this 

 substance. 



1 This composition is founded on Sir H. Davy's analysis. It 

 will be seen from inspecting the table that the weight of an atom 

 of phosphorus is ten times as great as the weight of an atom of 

 hydrogen. Hence supposing this gas composed of 2 atoms 

 hydrogen and I atom phosphorus, its composition by weight 

 would be 100 hydrogen and 500 phosphorus. Now Davy found 

 it composed of 100 hydrogen and 489*56 phosphorus. This I 

 consider as a very, near approximation, for a first analysis. 



We have no data for determining the composition of phos- 

 phureted hydrogen. Davy's analysis would make it a compound 



