I. Notes of researches on the poly-ammonias

Former investigations had led me to some general conclusions regarding the molecular constitution of the organic bases, which I have communicated to the Royal Society, and which have been published m the ‘Philosophical Transactions’ (1850, p. 93; 1851, p. 357). My experiments had proved that each equivalent of hydrogen in ammonium may be replaced by an equivalent of a mono-atomic electro-positive radical, such as methyl, ethyl, &c.;—a series of compound ammoniums being produced, the salts of which may be thus formulated :— R' representing a mono-atomic electro-positive radical. These successive substitutions were accomplished by the action oi ammonia upon the bromides and iodides of the alcohol-radicals, which since that time have become most valuable agents of substitution in the hands of chemists.