NITRIC OXIDE, AND CHLORO-HYDRIC ACID. 65 



27. The platinum and the nitric oxide are present, as we have shown, (23 

 and 25,) in the proportion of 41.26 to 4.98. These numbers, divided by the 

 atomic weights of their respective substances, will give the relative numbers of 

 the atoms of these ingredients in the salt. 



41.26 



Thus the platinum = 3.345 



1233.5 



4.98 



Nitric oxide, = 1.321 



377.04 



But, 3345:1321 = 5:2 



Therefore, for every five atoms of platinum., or deuto-chloride of platinum in 

 the salt, rvith their corresponding five atoms of chloro-hydric acid, we have trvo 

 atoms of nitric oxide. 



28. We have no direct results establishing the proportion of the chemically 

 combined water in the salt. But, estimating it from the data furnished by expe- 

 riments 16, 20, and 21, made at the same time and with complete success, it 

 would amount to 7.66 ^er cent., or two atoms of water for every atom of deuto- 

 chloride of platinum. 



29. Throwing these results into the shape of a formula, we have the follow- 

 ing convenient expression for its chemical composition. 



(Pt CP^ ' + ((CI H) ^ + (N O^) ^) + Aq. 



By this formula the compound is regarded as a simple chloride of platinum 

 united with a muriate of nitric oxide. 



Should we, on the other hand, deny the existence of muriates altogether, we 

 may consider it, in accordance with the enlarged views of Dr. Hare on the 

 Constitution of Salts, and the convenient systematic nomenclature by which he 

 expresses their composition,* as a chloro-salt, consisting of a chloro-acid (chlo- 

 ride of platinum, or chloro-platinic acid,) and two chloro-bases. Thus viewed, 

 it would be a chloro-platinate of nitrogen with a chloro-platinate of hydrogen, 

 and expressed by the following formula :— 



[(Pt CP) ^ -f- N CP] ' + [Pt CP + H CI] + Aq 



* American Journal of Pharmacy, Vol. iii. No. 1. 

 VII. — R 



14 



