1815. ] On Iodine. 197 
Mutual Decomposition of the Iodate and Hydriodate of Zinc. 
In speaking of the action of the alkaline oxides on iodine by means 
of water, I was led to conclude (vol. v. p. 302) that if we cannot 
form hydriodates and iodates with the oxides of zinc, iron, &c. 
the reason is, that these oxides do not sufficiently condense 
hydriodic and iodic acids to prevent them from acting on and de- 
composing each other. J have since verified this consequence, by 
mixing iodate of potash with a solution of sulphate and hydriodate 
of zinc. Though.the solution of these different substances was not 
sufficiently concentrated: to allow sulphate of potash to be deposited, 
we may however admit, on account of the facility of the changes 
that take place in the solution of different salts, that the phenomena 
ought to be the same as if we had mixed directly hydriodate of zine 
with the iodate of the same metal. The result was, that there gra- 
dually deposited in the solution of these three bodies, | oxide of zinc 
which appeared to me pure, and iodine well crystallized, and the 
solution which contained hydriodate of zine in excess was very 
strongly coloured. These results can only be explained by supposing 
that the acid of the hydriodate of zinc, and that of the iodate of 
the same metal, supposed to exist in the solution, have mutually 
decomposed each other, and produced water and iodine, and that 
the oxide of zinc held in solution by these acids precipitated after 
their destruction. 
On ihe Nomenclature of the Combinations of Ivdine and Chlorine 
with other Bodies. 
It may be asked why, instead of calling the compound of iodine 
and potassium ioduret of potassium, I did not call it potassuret of 
iodine. I observe, in the first place, that the combinations of sul- 
phur with the metals having the name of sulphurets, those of chlo- 
rine and iodine ought from analogy to receive the names of chlo- 
rurets and iodurets. But to apply in general with certainty the 
generic termination uret, I have taken for a principle to give it to 
that of the elements of a binary compound which has the greatest 
affinity for hydrogen, and which combines with it when the com- 
pound produces the decomposition of water. According to this 
principle, 1 call the compounds of chlorine with sulphur and azote, 
chloruret of sulphur, chloruret of axole; those of iodine with azote 
and potassium, ioduret of axole, ioduret of potassium ; chloruret of 
iodine, the compound of chlorine and iodine; and sulphuret of 
carbon, ioduret of phosphorus, the combinations of sulphur with 
carbon and iodine with phosphorus. 
On Ammonia considered as an Oxide. 
Dr. Berzelius has concluded from his researches that ammonia 
contains oxygen, because in its combinations with acids it follows 
the same Jaw as the metallic oxides. ‘This conclusion is not neces- 
sary ; for from the observations which I have presented, an alkali is 
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