870 On the Composition of Azote, [Mat, 



OHO Az O Az 



•f 88-25 = 54-51 + 45'49. Again: if 100 : 55-591 :: 81-95 : 



O Az O H H H 



45-54, and 81-95 - 45-54 = 36-41. Then 18 05 + 36-41 = 



H 

 54-46. Then 100 Az = 54-46 H + 45-54 O. Now Berzelius, 

 calculating from the quantity necessary to neutralize a certain por- 

 tion of acid, inferred that ammonia must contain 46'8S, per cent, 

 of oxygen, which diiFers hut little from tliat ascertained above. The 

 arguments urged by this celebrated philosopher in support of his 

 c^iuion that hydrogen and azote are oxides of one common base,* 

 as well as his subsequent observations to prove that hydrogen con- 

 tains no oxygeUjt may be aitplied with great force in maintenance 

 of the endeavour liere attempted to show that hydrogen is the base 

 of azote. 



8. Ammonium. — Although the nature of this singular combina- 

 tion is much involved in obscurity, yet its constitution may in some 

 degree be developed from the exposition of the composition of azote 

 and of ammonia, and the opinion supported by the French che- 

 mists seems the most probable view of the subject. The direct 

 experimfents are not sufficiently conclusive to found any correct idea 

 of its nature, but tliey would lead us to infer that it contains half as 

 much oxygen as ammonium. If this be correct, an atom of am- 

 -jnonium will consist of 1 Az + 12 H, or 1 O + 18 H. Hence 



AH Az 



we may deduce its composition: 1-798 : 0-133 x 12 :: 52-97 • 



H H OHO 



47-03. Again: 11-75 x 18 + 88-25 = 70-55 + 29-45. And 



O H O H O H Az 



as 55-6 : 44'4 :: 29'45 : 23-517. And 29-45 + 23-517 = 52-967. 



H H H 



And 70-55 — 23-517 = 47-033 : corresponding precisely with 

 that just gi\'en. The weight of an atom of ammonium will then 

 be 0-"l33 X 12 + 1-798, or 0-133 x 18 + 1 = 3 394. 



We see here eight various compounds of oxygen and hydrogen ; 

 two of which only, water and azote, exist in a double series as 

 simple combinations in atoms of a second order. All the others 

 are compounds of a more complex kind : the example given of 

 nitric acid will be sufficient to make known the disposition of their 

 primary particles, wliicii in like manner arrange themselves in three 

 series or in atoms of a third order. But there are, besides these, 

 other combinations of the same elements wiiose arrangements are 

 still more complex, those §f a fourth kind, or compounds of atoms 

 of the second and third orders ; among these are hydronilric acid, 

 liquid ammonia, &c. There are again those of a fifth kind, or an 

 union of atoms of tlic third order with each other, such as nitrate 

 of ammonia, 6tc. It is needless to point out the several others that 



• PhU. Mag. vol. xlii. p. £66, et scg. + Anr.aU, vol. ii. p. 363, el seg. 



