ON AQUA REGIA. 
269 
starting from stableness, when two points are to be consid- 
ered. The first is the relative stableness of combinations 
N and N, and the second that of the acids H + N and N+N 
or N+2N. 
The greater stableness of N relative to N may be attribu- 
ted to a cause similar to that by which the relative stable- 
ness of combinations N, N, N, N, is produced. It may 
likewise be ascribed to the affinity of N to N or N. - In 
the latter case, the hyponitric acid is a particular stage of 
oxidation, but it is not such a one in the second case. 
If this acid is composed according to the formula N + N 
or N + 2N, it must be more stable than H + N, as the for- 
meFmay be formed by the action of oxide of nitrogen on 
the second, and because the stableness of a combination de- 
pends on its affinity ; or it is proportionate to the affinity of 
the binary combinations, of which these combinations are 
constituted* The foregoing observations and considera- 
tions, having shown that the hyponitric acid is less stable 
than the hydrated nitric acid, it follows that it is not a com- 
bination of nitric acid with nitrons acid or oxide of nitro- 
gen. Ibid, from Foggendorff's Annalen. 
* Supposing that the bodies are under the conditions stated in the 
said case. 
22* 
