57 
some new Objects in Chemical Philosophy. 
taken, is it less ; but under common circumstances often 
more. If this result is taken as accurate, then it would follow, 
that ammonia (supposing it to be an oxide,) must contain 
about 48 per cent, of oxygene, which, as will be hereafter 
seen, will agree with the relations of the attractions of this 
alkali for acids, to those of other salifiable bases.* 
If hydrogene be supposed to be a simple body, and nitrogene 
an oxide, then on the hypothesis above stated, nitrogene 
would consist of nearly 48 of oxygene, and 34 of basis ; but 
if the opinion be adopted, that hydrogene and nitrogene are 
both oxides of the same metal, then the quantity of oxygene 
in nitrogene, must be supposed less. 
These views are the most obvious that can be formed, on 
the antiphlogistic hypothesis of the nature of metallic sub- 
stances ; but if the facts concerning ammonia were to be 
reasoned upon, independently of the other general phceno- 
mena of chemical science, they perhaps might be more easily 
explained on the notion of nitrogene being a basis, whicli 
became alkaline, by combining with one portion of hydrogene, 
and metallic, by combining with a greater proportion. 
* Even in common air, the amalgam evolves hydrogene and ammonia, nearly in these 
proportions, and in one experiment which I lately tried, there seemed to be no absorp- 
tion of oxygene from the atmosphere. This circumstance appears to me in favour of 
the antiphlogistic view of the metallization of the volatile alkali ; for if the hydrogene 
be supposed to be given off from the mercury, and not to arise from the decomposition 
of water adhering to the amalgam, it might be conceived, that being in the nascent 
state, it would rapidly absorb oxygene. In my first experiments upon the amalgam, 
finding that common air to which it had been exposed, gave less diminution with ni- 
trous gas than before, I concluded naturally, that oxygene had been absorbed ; but 
this difference might have arisen partly at least, from the mixture of hydroger.e. 
Whether in any case tire amalgam absorbs oxygene gas, is a question for further 
investigation. 
MDCCCX. 
I 
