232 L iterary and Philosophical Society, 



ammonia is a binary compound of hydrogen and azote, 

 and the relative weights of the two atoms are as i : 5» 

 nearly ; 3rd. That nitrous gas is a binary compound of 

 azote and oxygen, the atoms of which weigh 5 and 7 re- 

 spectively ; that nitric acid is a binary or ternary compound 

 according as it is derived, and consists of one atom of azote 

 and two of oxygen, together weighing 19; that nitrous 

 oxide is a compound similar to nitric acid, and consists of 

 one atom of oxygen and two of azote, weighing 17 ; that 

 nitrous acid is a binary compound of nitric acid and nitrous 

 gas, weighing 3 1 ; that oxynitric acid is a binary compound 

 of nitric acid and oxygen, weighing 26 ; 4th. That carbonic 

 oxide is a binary compound consisting of one atom of char- 

 coal and one of oxygen, together weighing nearly 1 2 ; that 

 carbonic acid is a ternary compound (but sometimes binary) 

 consisting of one atom of charcoal and two of oxygen, 

 weighing 19 ; &c., &c. In all these cases the weights are 

 expressed in atoms of hydrogen, each of which is denoted 

 by unity. . . .' 



Dalton's New System of Chemistry. 



Chapter iii. page 216. ... ' From the novelty as well 

 as importance of the ideas suggested in this chapter, it is 

 deemed expedient to give plates, exhibiting the mode of 

 combination in some of the more simple cases. A speci- 

 men of these accompanies this first part. The elements or 

 atoms of such bodies as are conceived at present to be 

 simple, are denoted by a small circle, with some distinctive 

 mark ; and the combinations consist in the juxtaposition 

 of two or more of these ; when three or more particles of 

 elastic fluids are combined together in one, it is to be sup- 

 posed that the particles of the same kind repel each other, 

 and therefore take their stations accordingly.' 



