1813.] Definite Proportions in Chemical Combinations. 113 



Number of Weight of an 



atoms. integrant particle. 



131. Sulphuret of molyb-7 x m+ 2 s 9 . 882 « 



denum 5 



132. Sulphuret of potassium 1 p + \ s /'000 



133. Sulphuret of potash . . .1 p + 1 s 8-000 y 



134. Sulphuret of sodium ..1 s + 2 s 9*882 z 



We have not the requisite data for determining the composi- 

 tion of the other sulphurets. 



A slight inspection of the preceding table is sufficient to con- 

 vince any person that a very considerable number of sulphurets 

 remain still unknown. Out of 25 sulphurets enumerated, 12 

 are compounds of 1 atom metal and 1 atom sulphur, 10 of I 

 atom metal and 2 atoms sulphur, 1 of 1 atom metal and 3 atoms 

 sulphur, and 2 of 1 atom metal and 4 atoms sulphur. It is not 

 unlikely that silver, copper, nickel, zinc, bismuth, cobalt, man- 

 ganese, and potassium, may combine only with 1 proportion of 

 sulphur ; but gold ought to combine with 8 proportions, and 

 form 3 sulphurets ; platinum should form 2, iron 4, lead 4, anti- 

 mony 2, tellurium 2, and molybdenum 2- 



I shall not continue the table any farther at present ; but con- 

 clude this paper with a few obvious deductions from that part of 

 the table which has been already published. 



1. There is no connection between the specific gravity of 

 bodies and the weights of their atoms. 



2. There are eight atoms of simple bodies whose weights are 

 denoted by whole numbers ; namely, 



74 o manganese and 25*5 sulphur by heat. (Ann. du Mus. 

 d'Hist. Nat. xvii. 16.) Now 745 : 25"5 :: 7-130 : 2345. As 

 2*345 is not very remote from the weight of an atom of sulphur, 

 I have supposed the sulphuret a compound of 1 atom metal -f- 1 

 atom sulphur. 



u According to Bucholz, sulphuret of molybdenum is com- 

 posed of (JO molybdenum 4- 40 sulphur. Now 60 : 40 :: 5 882 

 ; 3*921. But 3-921 is almost equal in weight to 2 atoms of 

 sulphur. 



* This is the composition of sulphuret of potassium according 

 to Sir H. Davy, the only person who has hitherto analysed this 

 sulphuret. 



> This compound has never been accurately analysed. I state 

 its composition merely from analogy. 

 \ccording to Davy. 



Vol. II. N° II. H 



