376 Cavehdijh and Lavoificf. [Book V. 



opinion, however, he has fmce been corrected by La- 

 voifier, and other modern chemifts, who have proved 

 that azotic, or phlogifticated air (as it is called by the 

 Englifli chemifts) is no other than the bafis of the 

 nitrous acid *. 



On thefe experiments and difcoveries the whole of 

 the modern fyftem of chemiftry and phyfiology is 

 founded ; but their importance will be more completely 

 proved, in treating more at large of the different fpe- 

 cies of air, and of the fucceeding fubjech, in thefe vo- 

 lumes. 



* In Mr. Cavendifh's Experiment, as he probably ufed air 

 which had been rendered impure by combuftion, fome fmall por- 

 tion of charcoal or other inflammable matter might be contained 

 in the air. 



