18U.J Constituents of Azote. 181 



writings, and the extravagance of his hypothesis, served only the 

 more to convince the chemical world of the falsity of his assertions. 

 If it can be believed that azote was formed in his experiments, it 

 must be very evident that he was altogether ignorant of the nature 

 of the changes that happened in the operations. Henceforward, 

 then, azote continued to be considered as a simple body till the 

 grand discovery of the metallic nature of the fixed alkalies by Sir 

 H. Davy, who was led by analogy to conclude that ammonia con- 

 tained oxygen, although it was formed of azote and hydrogen only. 

 This consideration naturally led to the conclusion that azote con- 

 tained oxygen in its composition, and its basis! he conceived to be 

 hydrogen. Allen and Pepys about this time being engaged in a 

 series of experiments on respiration, found a greater quantity of 

 azote in the products than could be accounted for in the air em- 

 ployed. Sir H. Davy again turned his particular attention to the 

 subject. As he proceeded in his experiments he found that a certain 

 quantity of azote had disappeared, while its place was supplied with 

 a production of oxygen and hydrogen ; he observed, also, when 

 water was present, a still further increased loss of azote. He hence 

 concludes,* " that the decomposition and composition of azote 

 seem proved, allowing the correction of the data, and one of its 

 elements appears to be oxygen." From these facts he seemed to 

 infer that azote was u a compound of hydrogen with a larger pro- 

 portion of oxygen than exists in water." Dr. Henry, with a view 

 to decide this subject, underti ok the analysis of ammonia by elec- 

 tricity ; but, alter the most elaborate and careful investigation, he 

 could not find the least trace of the presence of oxvgen. Berthollet 

 also endeavoured to search for the presence of oxygen in ammonia, 

 but could detect none. Sir H. Davy more recently has examined 

 with great care the results of the action of potassium on ammonia, 

 and f.nind that in proportion as the olive coloured substance was 

 free from moisture, there was a less deficiency of azote. He hence 

 renounced his idea of the compound nature of azote ; and in his 

 Elements of Chemical Philosophy he classes it among the simple 

 bodies. Sir II. Davy made many direct attempts to decompose 

 azote itself. He exposed it to the action of the most powerful 

 Voltaic pile ever constructed, without the least effect, and heated 

 potassium in it by the flame of the same apparatus, but no change 

 was observable, its inertness under the influence of the most 

 powerful Voltaic combinations has been urged as a decisive proof of 

 the simplicity of this substance : but when we see a compound 

 formed of four elements resisting all attempts at decomposition, 

 although it is so easy of formation; and when we again perceive 

 that azote and chlorine have refused to unite by means of the most 

 powerful Voltaic agency, though its combination is now effected by 

 the most simple means that can be conceived, we need not wonder 

 'hat azote should in an equal degree resist its influence. The evi- 



• Pi.il. Tr;ins. 1S09, p. 130. 



