GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 465 



in the present state of our knowledge is by far 

 the most probable, then, not only those simple 

 bodies whose atomic weights are whole numbers, 

 but those likewise, whose weights end in 0*5, 

 are multiples of oxygen. These constitute the 

 whole of the supporters of combustion, and all 

 the acidifiable and intermediate combustibles, 

 except three; namely, carbon, arsenic, and 

 tungsten. Of the alkalifiable combustibles, 

 amounting to 29, 17 would be multiples of 

 oxygen, leaving altogether, 15 simple bodies, 

 which are multiples of 2 atoms of hydrogen. 

 Thus 31 simple bodies would be multiples of 

 oxygen, and 15 multiples of 2 atoms of hydro- 

 gen. 



14. There are only 5 simple bodies which are 

 multiples of 2 atoms of water, or 2 25. These 

 are 



But there are 12 compound bodies in the same 

 predicament : viz. 



Oxalic acid . 4-5 or . 4 water. 



Arsenious acid . 6- 75 - 6 - 



Hyposulphuric . 9 8 - 



Molybdic 9 8 - 



Uric acid . . 9 8 - 

 VOL. II. G e 



