166 
METALLIC OXIDES. 
pxides of tin. it is very plain* that which I have proposed is insufficient j and 
it is necessary to suppose a more correct principle, or one that 
is capable of being carried to a greater extent. I have reason 
to suppose, that all bodies may be combined to a certain num- 
ber of multiples, which are the same for all. For example, 
all combustibles are capable of an equal number of degrees 
of oxidation, as well as of sulphuration. In this case, the 
best principle for the nomenclature of sulphurets would be the 
addition of the number of the multiple proportion in which 
the sulphur is combined with the metal, as, for example, disul- 
phuretum, trisulphuretum, &c. It is yet too early to apply 
this prineiple to sulphurets, because we are still ignorant where 
we should commence our account. Nevertheless, by taking 
the common sulphuret of a metal, that is to say, the highest 
degree of sulphuration which, in a closed vessel, may be heated 
to a red heat, without being decomposed. Taking this, I repeat, 
as an artificial point from whence we may begin to count, we 
shall have for the names of these three sulphurets of tin, (a) 
sulphuretum, (b) sesquisulphuretum, and (c) disulphuretum 
stanni. Although it may be offered as an objection, that the 
second of these denominations involves an incorrect no- 
tion. With respect to the atomistic theory, I must observe, 
that no theory has been assumed as the basis of my experi- 
ments on determinate proportions ; but nevertheless it appears, 
that the result of all my experiments on this object will con- 
firm such a theory. It will be the time to amend this pretended 
incorrectness jn the nomenclature when the theory illustrated by 
ulterior experiments shall have proved to us which of these 
combinations may be composed of an equal number of atoms 
of the two constituents, and which consequently ought to be 
the first. Until this is decided, I think that the name sequi- 
sulphuretum will be sufficient for eur purpose as a denomina^ 
tion, 
