52 Existence of Radicals in the Amphide Salts disproved. 
any detailed and accurate experiments have been performed, to 
determine whether it is influenced by the pressure of the atmos- 
phere; that is, whether water is frozen, or ice liquefied, at the 
same temperature on the summits of the Alps or Andes, as in the 
lowest valleys. The known effect of pressure on several of the 
gases which are thus condensed, would seem to lead us to the 
conclusion that the congelation of liquids, and the liquefaction of 
solids, must also be influenced by this cause. If this is so, the 
occurrence which I have now described, will probably be consid- 
ered as a remarkable illustration. 
I will only add, in conclusion, that the force of expansion and 
contraction, as measured by the raising and lowering of this ship 
and its cradle, is more strikingly exhibited, than by any experi- 
ment with which I am acquainted. 
Rutgers College, March 1, 1843. 
Art. VI.—An effort to refute the arguments advanced in favor 
of the Existence, in the Amphide Nalts,* of Radicals consist- 
ing, like Cyanogen, of more than one element; by Rosrrt 
Hare, M.D., Professor of Chemistry in the University of Penn- 
sylvania. 
[Republished from a pamphlet printed by the author to accompany his ‘‘ Compen- 
dium of Chemistry,” and for distribution.] 
Tue following isa summary of the opinions, which it is the 
object of the subsequent reasoning to justify. 
(a.) The community of effect, as respects the extrication of 
hydrogen by contact of certain metals with aqueous solutions of 
sulphuric and chlorohydric acid, is not an adequate ground for an 
inferred analogy of composition, since it must inevitably arise 
that any radical will, from any compound, displace any other 
radical, when the forces favoring its substitution, preponderate 
over the quiescent affinities. 
(6.) But if, nevertheless, it be held that the evolution of hy- 
drogen from any combination, by contact with a metal, isa suffi- 
* An amphide salt is one consisting of an acid and a base, each containing an 
amphigen body, either oxygen, sulphur, selenium, or tellurium, as its electro- 
negative ingredient. 
