260 
ON AQUA REGIA, 
may frequently displace the hydrogen. It is owing to the 
dehydrogenating power of the hyponitric acid, that its ele- 
ments have been found in several combinations formed by 
its influence, in the manner of chlorine, which is found in a 
body, that by substitution yielded hydrogen to that metal- 
loid. 
Though the hyponitric acid, however, in the presence of 
several organic bodies may act in the manner of chlorine, it 
is yet not proved, that it really acts like the* said metalloid, 
under circumstances in which it behaves like a simple 
body. The hypothesis of the function of this acid, there- 
fore, reposing only on theoretical observations, and not 
being warranted by a single well-established fact, it became 
necessary to base it on rigorously examined facts. It hav- 
ing, however, appeared, from our investigations, that the 
hyponitric acid does not act the part of a radical, not. even 
with reference to the body, which, relative to polarity, 
offers the greatest analogy with oxygen, we attempted to 
explain the action of this acid on organic bodies in another 
manner, considering it as a means simultaneously oxidizing 
and dehydrogenating. Free, therefore, from any precon- 
ceived opinion, we have examined Berzelius's theory, 
which we have found to agree with the present state of 
science, and to explain most of the facts ascertained in a 
satisfactory manner, to such an extent that, with some re- 
strictions, we do not hesitate to give it our sanction. 
25. That the hyponitric acid, relative to organic bodies, 
acts the part of an oxidating and dehydrogenating means, 
is a conclusion directly to he deduced from its oxidating 
power, as an organic body, by being transformed, yields a 
combination, which is the more stable the more complete 
the change is. The hyponitric acid, if it partially dehydro- 
genates a body, or if it forms a combination, on which, 
under the circumstances then taking place, it no more ex- 
erts any dehydrogenating influence; it may convert this 
