262 On Chemical Nomenclature. 



the definition of that word given in the treatise of the distinguished 

 author of the nomenclature. 



After stating my objections to the basis of the Berzelian nomen- 

 clature, I proceeded to mention those to which I considered the su- 

 perstructure as liable. 



Having designated the acid compounds of his araphigen class, by- 

 prefixing syllables indicating their electro-negative ingredients ; hav- 

 ing also in some instances, as in those of the fluosilicic, and fluobo- 

 ric acids, adopted this course in relation to halogen bodies ; I objec- 

 ted to the use of the word hydracid, in which the electro-positive 

 radical is made to act as if coordinate with oxygen. 



Moreover, the termination in ide having been generally attached 

 to the electro-positive compounds of oxygen, acting as bases, I con- 

 demned the employment of that termination, to distinguish the elec- 

 tro-negative and acid compounds of sulphur, selenium, and telluri- 

 um. I considered it inconsistent to give precedence to the syllable 

 designating the radical in the acids formed with hydrogen ; as in 

 hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydriodic, hydrofluoric, hydrofluoboric, 

 hydrofluosilicic, preferring the terms chlorohydric, bromohydric, io- 

 dohydric, fluohydroboric, fluohydrosilicic, &,c., in which I have been 

 sanctioned by Thenard and others. 



I proposed a definition of an acid and a base, which I conceived 

 to be the only one which could be adopted, consistently with the use 

 made of those words by Berzelius, and other distinguished chemists; 

 and advanced that, agreeable to that definition, his double haloid 

 salts must be considered as simple salts, severally fojrmed of an acid 

 and a base. 



I objected to his treating the words combustion and oxygenation 

 as synonymous. 



Having thus made the reader acquainted with the substance of my 

 criticisms upon the Berzelian nomenclature, I will subjoin his letter 

 in answer to them, and will then state, and endeavor to justify, the 

 conclusions at which I have arrived. 



Letter from Prof. J. J. Berzelius of Stockholm to R. Hare, M. D., 

 Professor of Chemistry in the University of Pennsylvania, acknow- 

 ledging the receipt of a communication respecting Nomenclature, 



and replying thereto. 



Stockholm, September 23, 1834. 



Sir — I am very much obliged to you for the remarks, which, 



under the date of June 21st, you had the friendship to communicate 



