994 Transactions of the American Institute. 



tion are connected by similar numerical relations with those already 

 mentioned, sulphur with oxygen, and iron with nitrogen. Other 

 interesting coincidences might be pointed out did they not give too 

 much prominence to views which at present will be regarded as merely 

 speculative. 



4. The normal saturating poAver of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen 

 and carbon, are respectively as 1, 2, 3 and 4. Binary combinations 

 of these elements will' indicate the direction in Avhich we are to look 

 for the principal cause of diversity in the composition of organic 

 bodies. Of hydrogen and oxygen only two combinations are known : 

 of nitrogen and oxygen, five ; of hydrogen and nitrogen, one ; of 

 carbon and nitrogen, one ; while of carbon and hydrogen over thirty 

 have been thus far isolated. The remarkable tendency of the lightest 

 gas and the most impenets'able solid to combine in definite proportions, 

 and to condense by degrees, thus forming homologous gases of differ- 

 ent densities, as well as liquids and solids of different boiling points, 

 must be assigned as the principal cause of the diversity of composi- 

 tion found in the many hundred compounds of which these two 

 elements form a part. 



Berthelot has recently demonstrated, by numerous experiments, 



that alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, alkalies, acids a"nd other compounds 



containing carbon, may he decomposed by the action of hydriodic 



acid and heat, and converted generally into homologues of the 



hydride of methyl series ; and he has expressed the opinion that the 



carbon in all organic bodies may be thus saturated with hydrogen. 



The startling conclusion to be drawn from his experiments, the facts 



set forth in this paper, and all previous experiments showing the 



disposition of hydro-carbons to combine with other elements is, that 



the great antipodes in' extension, carbon and hydrogen, play the 



principal parts in the composition and decomposition of all bodies 



derived from the organic kingdom. 



Adjourned. 



March 4th, 1869. 



Professor S. D. Tillman in the cliair. Mr. C. E. Emery, Secretary. 

 The chairman read the following notes on new scientific experi- 

 ments and discoveries : 



