on the Nature of certain Bodies. 461 
tricity, by his ingenious method of applying hygrometrical 
tests. 
I tried one experiment only with it, and in this there seemed 
to me to be more moisture exhibited in the elastic matter after 
electrization than before, when it was cooled by the evapora- 
tion of ether: but on maturely considering this question, I do 
not think that the appearance of moisture even offers a decided 
proof of the existence of loosely combined oxygene in am- 
monia. To common hygrometrical tests, water must be less 
sensible in ammonia than in hydrogene or nitrogene, from its 
tendency to be precipitated in the form of alkaline solution, 
and likewise probably from its having a stronger adherence to 
the gas ; and the elastic fluid generated, from the increase of 
volume will be capable of containing more aqueous vapour. 
It is not easy to determine, with perfect precision, the spe- 
cific gravity of a gas, so light as hydrogene and even ammo- 
nia ; but the loss of weight, which appears to take place in 
the electrical analysis of ammonia, cannot, I think, with pro- 
priety, be referred entirely to this circumstance ; whether the 
solution that I have ventured to give* be the true one, I shall 
not, in the present state of the inquiry, attempt to discuss. 
The question of ammonia being analogous to other salifiable 
bases in its constitution, is determined by the phsenomena 
presented by the amalgam from that alkali ; and if the con- 
version of nitrogene into oxygene and hydrogene should be 
established, it would appear that both hydrogene and ni- 
trogene must be different combinations of ammonium with 
oxygene, or with water. 
* Bakerian Lecture, 1807, p. 40. 
MDCCCIX. 3 O 
