AND ON SOME SUBJECTS OF CHEMICAL THEORY. 325 



which nitrogen is the base, deriving its alkaline power from 

 hydrogen ; it stands, therefore, in the same relation to the other 

 alkalis, that sulphuretted hydrogen does to the acids. And 

 thus the whole speculation with regard to the imaginary me- 

 tallic base Ammonium, and the existence of oxygen in ammo- 

 nia, and in nitrogen, falls to the ground, while the anomaly pre- 

 sented by this alkali is removed. If the claim of the lately 

 discovered principle in opium, Morphia as it has been named, 

 to the distinction of an alkali be established, as from its origin 

 it must probably have a compound base, it may, if it contain 

 hydrogen, bear the same relation to the other alkalis, that prus- 

 sic acid does to the acids ; or if it can tain oxygen, it will be 

 analogous to the vegetable acids. 



The fixed alkalis, and the alkaline earths, are considered as 

 containing water in intimate combination, in a definite propor- 

 tion ; and it is doubtful if they can be obtained free from it in an 

 insulated state, retaining at the same time their alkaline pro- 

 perties. It is obvious, however, that the elements of water 

 may exist in combination with the base : that potash, for ex- 

 ample, is not a compound of an oxide of potassium with water, 

 but of potassium, oxygen and hydrogen, Hence when, on add- 

 ing water to peroxide of potassium, potash is produced, and 

 oxyen gas is disengaged ; this is not owing, as has been suppo- 

 sed, to the excess of oxygen in the peroxide being expelled, 

 and the water taking its place ; but to the water being decom- 

 posed, and a portion of its hydrogen entering into the combi- 

 nation, to form the alkali, while the corresponding oxygen is 

 liberated. If hydrogen were brought to act on peroxide of 

 potassium, the alkali would in like manner be formed. With 

 the peroxide of barium, this very change, from the action of hy- 

 drogen, takes place ; the hydrogen, according to the usual ex- 

 planation, combining with its oxygen, and forming water, which 



unites 



