415 
Dr. Henry’s Experiments on Ammonia. 
measures of nitrous oxide, are equivalent to 52 measures of 
oxygen gas and 103 of nitrogen. The oxygen in 33 mea- 
sures of nitrous oxide will, therefore, be 19,7, to which, when 
the oxygen spent in burning the residuum (viz. 8 m. is added, 
we obtain 27,7 for the total oxygen consumed ; and multiply- 
ing by 2, we have 53,4, for the hydrogen saturated. From 
the residuary nitrogen (59) deduct 39 measures arising from 
the decomposition of the nitrous oxide -j- 2 m., mingled with 
it as an impurity = 41, and the remainder, 18 measures, is the 
nitrogen resulting from the volatile alkali ; and as 41 mea- 
sures of ammonia give 55.4 -J- 18 = 73,4 measures of per- 
manent gas, 100 would give 179 measures, in which the hy- 
drogen and nitrogen would exist in the proportion of 75,4 to 
24,6. From the same facts it may be deduced, that 100 
measures of ammonia require for saturation 130 of nitrous 
oxide — 6y\ oxygen gas. The coincidence then, between 
the results of the combustion of ammonia with nitrous oxide, 
and those with oxygen gas, confirms the accuracy of both 
methods of analysis. 
Nitrous gas, which, it appears from your testimony,* does 
not compose an inflammable mixture with hydrogen, (nor as I 
am assured by Mr. Dalton, with any of the varieties of car- 
buretted hydrogen) may be employed, I find, for the combus- 
tion of ammonia. The proportions required for mutual satur- 
ation are about 120 measures of nitrous gas to 100 of am- 
monia. An excess of the former gas does not give accurate 
results; since not only the hydrogen of the ammonia, but 
some of its nitrogen is also condensed ; and the mixture, after 
being fired, exhibits the cloudy appearance usual in that case. 
* Researches, p. 136. 
3 m 
MDCCCIX. 
