na |Oxygenated molybdic |Unknown |
{ |acid | |
{Nickel | | |
{ | | |
{Gold | | |
{ | | |
{Platina | | |
{ | | |
{Lead | | |
{ | | |
{Tungstein |Oxygenated Tungstic }Unknown |
{ |acid | |
{ | | |
{Zinc | | |
------------+----------------+---------------------+--------------------+

[Note A: Only one degree of oxygenation of hydrogen is hitherto
known.--A.]

[Note B: Ethiops mineral is the sulphuret of mercury; this should have
been called black precipitate of mercury.--E.]

SECT. IV.--_Observations upon the Combinations of Oxygen with the simple
Substances._

Oxygen forms almost a third of the mass of our atmosphere, and is
consequently one of the most plentiful substances in nature. All the
animals and vegetables live and grow in this immense magazine of oxygen
gas, and from it we procure the greatest part of what we employ in
experiments. So great is the reciprocal affinity between this element
and other substances, that we cannot procure it disengaged from all
combination. In the atmosphere it is united with caloric, in the state
of oxygen gas, and this again is mixed with about two thirds of its
weight of azotic gas.

Several conditions are requisite to enable a body to become oxygenated,
or to permit oxygen to enter into combination with it. In the first
place, it is necessary that the particles of the body to be oxygenated
shall have less reciprocal attraction with each other than they have for
the oxygen, which otherwise cannot possibly combine with them. Nature,
in this case, may be assisted by art, as we have it in our power to
diminish the attraction of the particles of bodies almost at will by
heating them, or