ACTION OF NITIIIC ACID ON IXniGO. S63 



into amer, is the combination that takes place between 

 these two products. I have ev^en observed, that this com- 

 bination is capable, in a certain degree, of defending the 

 volatile acid from the action of the nitric acid. 



§ IV. Reflections on the Nature of the Volatile Acid and 

 of the Ainer. 



36. If the amer be considered as a compound of nitric Nature of the 

 acid and a vegetable substance, the nature of which is yet ^IjU^ljjg'^j^j.-^*^ 

 unknown, we shall be led to regard the volatile acid as a 



similar compound, differing from the former only in con- 

 taining less nitric acid. I am fully aware, that I cannot 

 prove these assertions by direct experiments; biit, if vre 

 compare the facts mentioned in this paper, we shall see that 

 they have a great appearance of truth. 



1st. The volatile acid audits compounds, when exposed to 

 heat, comport themselves nearly in the same manner as amer 

 and its compounds. The different quantities of nitric acid 

 they contain explain why the former only melt, while the 

 latter detonate forcibly. 



2d. Nitric acid boiled with the volatile acid converts it 

 into amer. 



3d. The compounds of amer have a great resemblance to 

 those of the volatile acid. Their taste is more or less bitter, 

 their colour a yellow, more or less deep. 



4th. If it be true, that the matter combined with the nitric 

 acid is of an oily nature, we can conceive, why the amer is 

 more soluble in water than the volatile acid, which contains 

 less nitric acid; why the volatile acid is more soluble in 

 alkalis than in water ; and why the compounds of amer are 

 lighter coloured than those of the volatile acid. 



If it be asked, why the volatile acid, in its decomposi- 

 tion by heat, gives out no nitrous gas, while the amer does ; 

 I answer, there are two reasons why the nitric acid of the 

 former should be radically decomposed : first, because the 

 combustible elements in the former are in larger proportioa 

 than in the amer ; secondly, because the nitric acid is more 

 strongly retained by it. 



37. If these reasonings be just, the volatile acid maybe 

 termed amer with a minimum of nitric acid; and Welther's 

 ^mer, amer with a maximum of nitric acid, 



I It 



