I attempted to effect this combination by converting nitrous gas into nitrous oxide, by sulphite of ammoniac, wetted with strong solution of caustic ammoniac; but without success; for the whole of the nitrous oxide produced remained in a free state. When I exposed sulphite of potash, mingled by solution and evaporation with highly alkaline carbonate of ammoniac,[161] to nitrous gas, the diminution was nearly one fourth more than if pure sulphite of potash had been employed. Hence it appears most likely that ammoniac is capable of combination with nitrous oxide in the nascent state. [161] Carbonate of ammoniac formed at a high temperature, containing near 60 per cent alkali, and capable of combining with small quantities of acids without giving out its carbonic acid. Of this salt a particular account will be given in the experiments on the ammoniacal salts, which I have often mentioned in the course of this work. In the experiments on the conversion of nitrous gas into nitrous oxide, by nascent hydrogene, and by sulphurated hydrogene, Res. I. Divis. V. probably the water formed at the same time with the ammoniac and nitrous oxide, prevented them from entering into combination; _possibly_ the peculiar compound was formed, but in quantities so minute as not to be distinguished from simple ammoniac;[162] for even the existence of ammoniac in these processes, is but barely perceptible. If it should be proved by future experiments, that in the decomposition of nitrous gas by nascent hydrogene, a peculiar compound of nitrous oxide, water and ammoniac, is formed, it will afford proofs in favor of the doctrine of predisposing affinity;[163] for then this decomposition might be supposed to depend upon the disposition of oxygene, hydrogene and nitrogene to assume the states of combination in which they might form a triple compound, of water, nitrous oxide, and ammoniac. [162] It may not be amiss to mention some appearances taking place in the decomposition of nitrous gas by sulphurated hydrogene, though it is useless to theorise concerning them. The sulphur deposited is at first yellow; as the process proceeds, it becomes white, and in some instances I have suspected a diminution of it. [163] Predisposing affinity, the existence of which at first consideration it is difficult to admit, may be easily accounted for by _supposing_ the attractions of the simple principles of compound substances. And this doctrine will apply in all instances where the constitution of bodies is known. Predisposing affinity ought not to be considered as the affinity of _non-existing_ bodies for each other; but as the mutual affinity of their simple principles, disposing them to assume new arrangements. Nitrous oxide might probably be made to combine with ammoniac by exposing a mixture of nitrous gas and aëriform ammoniac, to the sulphites.