LETTER TO BERZELIUS 



have become apparent, since the science is so rapidly 

 advancing, and particularly as the publication of your 

 system took place on the eve of the very important dis- 

 covery that chlorids, bromids, etc., are to be ranked with 

 oxyds as bases, and that each class of bases has its corre- 

 sponding class of acids, with which they form correspond- 

 ing classes of salts. 



' The few principles which are peculiar to the nomen- 

 clature offered in the manuscript occurred to me while 

 reading the article on the same subject in your late work 

 on chemistry, of which you will see evidence in the gen- 

 eral adoption of the most important parts of your own 

 system, and in the identity of the nomenclature of a good 

 part of chemical compounds. One of its principal pecu- 

 liarities is the introduction of the termination acids for 

 electro-negative compounds. The impossibility of mak- 

 ing the termination id distinguish an electro-negative 

 compound in every instance, on account of its general 

 adoption in a contrary sense in the nomenclature of the 

 compounds of oxygen, led me to attempt to obtain one 

 less objectionable. The termination acid, considering it, 

 as heretofore used, a contraction of oxacid (which was 

 evidently understood by it), appears to be in general use; 

 and it seemed to me that by extending it to the electro- 

 negative compound of chlorine, bromine, etc., I was but 

 extending an old principle in the common nomenclature. 

 Thus we have the names, hydric chloracid, stannic sulph- 

 acid, etc., instead of hydric chlorid, stannic sulphid, etc. 



1 This is my apology for differing from one to whom 

 the science is much indebted for its late rapid advance- 

 ment, the mention of whose name always infuses into me 

 feelings of respect and admiration. 



" In the application of the law for the use of minerals, 

 I have adhered to the plan of expressing by them the 

 proportion of the two compounds contained, without 

 reference to the electro-negative element. I rather in- 

 cline to the method, as it appears to be somewhat more 

 simple than any other and to possess equal advantages. 

 The law will, however, remain the same in whatever way 

 applied. 



' The system of nomenclature here proposed, such as 

 it is, I offer for your consideration, and any criticisms 

 from you would be gratefully received. It has been my 



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