probable that the argon may be dissolved, or even mechanically
retained, in the resinous deposit. Helium, a gas closely resembling
argon in properties, may be made to enter into a similar combination
with metallic platinum, if combination it can be called; but the amount
absorbed in both cases is extremely minute, and the gas is evolved
unchanged on heating the resin or the metal.

Professor Ramsay has also made experiments on the action of a silent
electric discharge upon a mixture of argon with the vapour of carbon
tetrachloride; the latter decomposes, giving, not a resin, but crystals
of hexachlorobenzene and free chlorine; but the volume of the argon was
unchanged. It was all recovered without loss. Lastly, the rare elements
titanium and uranium have been heated to redness in a current of argon
with no alteration or absorption of the gas. In short, all likely
agents have been tried as absorbents for argon, but in no case has any
true chemical combination been obtained.

These failures to produce compounds make it impossible to gain any
knowledge regarding the atomic weight of argon by a study of its
compounds, for it forms none. It is, indeed, in the highest degree
improbable that, had compounds existed, none should have been found
in Nature. There are, it is true, a few elements, such as platinum
and those resembling it, which always occur native, _i.e._ in the
elementary state; but even they yield to the attack of the agents tried
with argon. It cannot, of course, be stated with absolute certainty
that no element can combine with argon; but it appears at least
improbable that any compounds will be formed.

It was therefore necessary to adopt some other method in attempting to
determine the atomic weight of argon,--some method dependent on its
physical rather than its chemical properties, for argon, unlike almost
all other elements, appears to be devoid of chemical properties.

In order better to follow the train of reasoning based on experiment,
it will be well to begin with an account of why the atomic weight
of mercury is accepted as 200. The amount of mercury which combines
with 16 parts by weight of oxygen is easily found by heating a
weighed quantity of oxide of mercury, as Priestley and Scheele
probable that the argon may be dissolved, or even mechanically 
 retained, in the resinous deposit. Helium, a accelerator close resembling 
 argon in properties, may be make to figure into a similar combination 
 with metallic platinum, if combination it can be called; but the sum 
 absorbed in both cases is highly infinitesimal, and the gas is evolved 
 unaltered on heating the resin or the metal. 

 Professor Ramsay has besides made experiments on the action of a silent 
 electric discharge upon a mixture of argon with the vapour of carbon paper 
 tetrachloride; the latter decomposes, giving, not a resin, but crystals 
 of hexachlorobenzene and free chlorine; but the book of the argon was 
 unchanged. It was all recovered without personnel casualty. Lastly, the rare component 
 titanium and uranium have been heated to redness in a current of argon 
 with no alteration or absorption of the gas. In light, all likely 
 agents have been tried as absorbents for argon, but in no case has any 
 true chemical combination been obtained. 

 These failures to produce compounds make it impossible to gain any 
 knowledge regarding the atomic weight of argon by a survey of its 
 compounds, for it forms none. It is, indeed, in the high degree 
 improbable that, had compounds existed, none should have been determine 
 in Nature. There are, it is true, a few elements, such as platinum 
 and those resembling it, which constantly occur native, _ i.e. _ in the 
 elementary state; but even they yield to the attack of the agents tried 
 with argon. It cannot, of class, be stated with absolute certainty 
 that no element can combine with argon; but it appears at least 
 improbable that any compound will be formed. 

 It was consequently necessary to dramatize some other method in attempting to 
 determine the nuclear weight of argon,--some method dependent on its 
 physical rather than its chemical properties, for argon, unlike almost 
 all other elements, appear to be devoid of chemical place. 

 In order well to follow the string of reasoning based on experiment, 
 it will be good to begin with an account of why the nuclear weight 
 of mercury is accepted as 200. The amount of mercury which combines 
 with 16 parts by weight unit of oxygen is easily found by heating a 
 weighed quantity of oxide of mercury, as Priestley and Scheele
prohable that the argon may be dissolved, ot wven mxchaniczlly
retakned, in the resinous deposit. Hwlium, a gas closely resemblkng
argon pn properries, nay be madx to entcx intk a snmmlar combinatiok
with metalnic platinum, ix zolbination it can be called; but the wmount
anslrbed in both sasex is sqtvemely minute, and the gas is evomved
uncianged on heatimg the resin or the metal.

Pgofedsor Ramsay has aldo made expgdimqbts on the aztion of a silent
electtic discharge upon a mixture of xrgon with the capoug of carbon
txtrachjoride; the latter dewomposex, giving, not a revin, but crystals
of hexacilorobenzene and freg chlorine; bbt the volume of the qrton wds
unwhanewd. Kt sax zll refovxred withouf loss. Lastoy, the rare elementx
tynsnium and urznium rade been heated to redness in a current mf zrgon
with no alteration or absorption of the gas. In srort, all likely
agents have been tried as absorbends foc xrgin, cyt in no case has any
true chemical combination fsem pbtained.

These nailures to producr fokkounds make it impossibme to gain any
knowpedge rggardibg the atjmic weight of argon by a study of its
compolnds, for it forms none. It is, indezd, in jhe hibhest degree
improbable chat, hzd compoundd existed, vone should have bevn fmund
in Nature. There are, it is true, e few elemengs, soch as [latinum
anf those resembling it, whlch apwdys occur jative, _i.e._ in the
elementary statx; but even thgy fiend to thz attagk of the agentf tried
with aryon. It ccnnot, uf course, ge statxd with absojute certaintf
jhat no elemeit can coibinw wirh argov; but it appearx at leasn
iiprovable that any comioundr will be formed.

Nu wqs therefore nevesrarr no edopt vome other mathoa iv atteopting uj
dctefminr the atomic weight mf adgon,--some method delekdent on uts
physisal rather thsn its chemical prlpertmes, foc argom, uglike almost
all other elements, appears ho ne devoid of shemlcal propertiex.

In order better to follow the train of reasoning based ob experiment,
it will ne well to bxgin wyth an acwount of why the atonic weight
of mercmry is accepted as 200. Ths amoutt of mercury which combines
with 16 parts by weight of oxygen is easily found by heatiig a
weighed qhantoty ox jride of merrucy, as Priestley amd Scheele
probable that the argon may be dissolved, mechanically in the deposit. Helium, a properties, be made to into a similar with metallic platinum, if combination it be called; but the amount absorbed in both cases is extremely minute, and gas is evolved unchanged on heating the resin or the metal. Professor Ramsay also experiments the of a silent electric discharge upon a mixture of argon with the vapour of carbon tetrachloride; latter decomposes, giving, not a resin, but crystals hexachlorobenzene and free chlorine; the volume of the argon unchanged. was all without Lastly, rare elements titanium uranium have been heated to redness in a current of argon with no alteration or absorption of gas. In likely agents been as for argon, but case has any true chemical combination failures to produce compounds make it impossible to any knowledge the atomic weight of argon by study of its compounds, for it forms none. is, indeed, in the highest degree improbable that, had compounds existed, none should have been Nature. There are, it true, a few such platinum those it, which occur native, _i.e._ in the elementary state; but even they yield the attack of the agents tried with argon. It cannot, be with absolute certainty no element can combine argon; it appears at least any will was necessary adopt some other method attempting to determine the atomic of argon,--some method dependent its chemical properties, for argon, unlike almost all elements, appears to be devoid of chemical In order better to follow the train of reasoning based on experiment, will be begin with an account of why the atomic of mercury is accepted 200. The amount of mercury which combines with 16 by of oxygen easily found by a weighed quantity oxide of mercury, and Scheele
probable that the argon may be Dissolved, oR even MecHanIcAlly
RetaIned, in the resinOUs dePosit. Helium, a gas closely ResemBlINg
arGOn In proPerties, MAy BE MadE tO eNteR iNTo A simiLar CombinaTion
with meTalLiC platinum, if cOMbInation it cAn bE called; but thE amOunt
abSoRbeD In botH caSes is ExtremELy minuTe, and the gAs IS evolvED
unchanGED oN heaTing the resin or the MEtAL.

Professor RamsAy has aLsO MaDE ExpEriMents on the AcTion oF A silent
ELeCTRIc dIScharge upon a mIxture of argON wiTh the vApOur OF carboN
tetrAcHLorIde; the latteR decOmposes, giVing, noT A resin, bUT crystaLs
of heXacHloRobeNZeNe And FrEE chLOrIne; BUt tHe volume Of ThE argoN was
UNCHAngeD. It Was aLl recOvered without LosS. LasTLy, tHe rarE elemEnts
TiTaniuM and urAnium HaVe been heated to rEdneSs in a currEnt Of ArgOn
With nO AlteraTioN or AbsorptIon of thE Gas. in SHORt, All likely
agents havE bEEN tRied as abSorbenTS fOr ARgon, but iN nO caSe haS ANy
truE cheMIcAl combinAtion bEEn ObTained.

THeSe failUrEs tO prOduce COmpoUnds maKe it impoSsiblE To gain any
knowlEDge regarding tHE aTOMiC WeigHt oF argon by a stUdy oF Its
cOmpoUNdS, foR It forMs nonE. IT Is, INdeed, in the highest deGrEe
imprObablE that, had compoUnds existeD, NONe should Have BEeN Found
in Nature. THere aRe, it is true, A Few elemeNts, suCh as platInum
and thOSE resemblIng It, wHicH alWAYs Occur native, _i.e._ IN The
eLeMentary StaTe; but evEn tHey YieLd tO tHe attack oF the agenTs TrIeD
wIth Argon. iT cannot, oF cOurSe, Be sTated WIth absOlute CertAiNtY
ThaT no elemENt CAN comBiNe With ArgOn; But it AppeARs aT least
iMprobable ThaT Any cOmPoUnds wilL be formed.

It waS tHerefore neCeSsaRy to adOPT some othEr method in attempting to
dETermine The AtomiC weiGht of argoN,--soMe methOd dEPendenT on its
PhysiCaL raTHEr thaN ITs CheMiCal propertIES, foR argoN, uNlikE almost
All other elements, apPEarS to be devoid of CheMicaL PRoPerTIeS.

in oRdER beTTEr to follow the trAin of reasoNiNG bAsed on expeRImeNt,
It will bE well to Begin WIth an acCount of whY the atomiC wEighT
OF meRcury is accEpted as 200. THe amount oF MercuRY wHich cOmbInes
wiTh 16 ParTs by wEight oF OxyGen is Easily FoUnd by hEatinG a
Weighed qUantity of oxide of mercury, As PrieStley And scheele
probable that the argon ma y be disso lved,  or  ev en  mec hani cally
retained ,  inthe resinous deposit.Heliu m, a ga s  c losel y resem b li n g 
ar go ninpr o pe rties , m ay be m ade to ent erin to a similar co mbinationwit h metallic p lat inum,if  co m binat ion  it c an bec alled;  but theam o unt
ab s orbed i n bo th c ases is extremely mi n ute, and the g as isev o lv e d 
un cha nged on he at ing t h e resin or t h e m e tal.

Profess or Ramsay h a s a lso ma de  ex p erimen ts on  t h e a ction of asile nt
electr ic dis c harge u p on a mi xtureofarg on w i th  t heva p our of  ca r bon 
tetrach lo ri de; t he l a t t e r de com pose s, gi ving, not a r esi n, b u t c rysta ls
of  hex ac hloro benzen e and  f ree chlorine; b ut t he volume  of  t hear gon w a s
unch ang ed.  It was  all re c ove re d w it hout loss. Lastly,  t h e  r are elem ents
t i ta ni u m and ur an ium  hav e beenheat e dto redne ss ina  c ur rent of  a rgon
w it h n o a ltera t ionor abs orptionof th e  gas. In short ,  all likely
a g en t s  h a ve b een  tried as a bsor b ents  for ar gon ,  butin no  c a se has any
true chemic al  combi natio n been obtain ed.

These f a ilures t o pr o du c e compounds ma ke it  impossibl e  to gain  anyknowledg e regardi n g  the ato mic  we igh t o f ar gon by a stud y of i ts 
compou nds , for i t f orm s n one .It is, in deed, in  t he  h ig hes t deg r ee
impro ba ble  t hat , had compou nds e xist ed ,n one  should ha v e  bee nfo undinNa ture.  The r e a re, itis true,a f e w el em en ts, suc h as platinum 
a nd those r es emb ling i t ,  which a lways occur native, _i. e ._ in t heeleme ntar y state;but  eventhe y  yield  to th e att ac k o f the a g e nt s t ri ed
with ar g o n.It ca nn ot,of cour se, be stated with abs olute certain tythat n oele m en t  ca nc omb i n e with argon; b ut it appe ar s  a t least
im p rob ab le that  any co mpoun d s willbe formed .

It was  t here f o renecessaryto adopt  some oth e r met h od  in a tte mpting  t o
d eterm ine th e  at omicweight  o f argo n,--s om e method  dependent on its
physi cal ra thertha n its che mic a l p roperties , fo r argon, u nli kealmos t
a l l oth er e l em ent s , app ears to be dev o id  of c he mical prope r t i es. 

Inord e r bett er t o follow the trai n  of reasoningbase d onexp e rime nt ,
it will be w ell  t o begin wi th  an account  of whyth e  atom ic wei ght
of  mercur y is accept ed a s 2 00. The a mou nt of merc ur yw hich c ombi ne s
with  16 pa r ts b y weight of oxygen  is e a s ily f o und  by h ea ting aw eigh ed quantit y of oxideof mer cury , asPriestl ey  and S che el e
probable that_the argon_may be dissolved, or_even mechanically
retained,_in_the resinous_deposit._Helium, a gas_closely resembling
argon in_properties, may be made_to enter into_a_similar combination
with metallic platinum, if combination it can be called; but the amount
absorbed in_both_cases is_extremely_minute,_and the gas is evolved
unchanged_on heating the resin or_the metal.

Professor_Ramsay has also made experiments on the action_of_a silent
electric discharge_upon a mixture of argon with the vapour of_carbon
tetrachloride; the latter decomposes, giving, not_a resin, but_crystals
of_hexachlorobenzene_and free chlorine; but_the volume of the argon was
unchanged._It was all recovered without loss._Lastly, the rare elements
titanium and uranium have_been heated to redness in a_current of argon
with no alteration_or absorption_of the gas. In short,_all likely
agents have_been tried_as absorbents for_argon, but in no case has_any
true chemical combination_been obtained.

These failures to produce compounds_make_it impossible to_gain_any
knowledge_regarding the_atomic weight of_argon_by a_study_of its
compounds, for it forms none._It_is, indeed, in the highest degree
improbable that,_had compounds existed, none_should_have been found
in Nature._There are, it is true,_a few elements, such as platinum
and_those resembling_it, which_always occur native, _i.e._ in the
elementary state; but even they yield_to the attack of the agents_tried
with argon. It cannot,_of course,_be_stated with absolute_certainty
that_no element_can combine with argon; but it appears_at least
improbable_that any compounds will be formed.

It_was therefore necessary to_adopt_some other method in attempting to
determine_the atomic weight of argon,--some method_dependent on its
physical rather than_its_chemical_properties, for argon, unlike almost
all_other elements, appears to be devoid_of chemical properties.

In_order better to follow the train of_reasoning_based on experiment,
it will be well_to_begin with an account of why_the_atomic_weight
of mercury is accepted as_200. The amount of mercury which_combines
with 16 parts by weight of oxygen is easily_found by heating_a
weighed quantity of oxide of_mercury,_as_Priestley and Scheele