Note 42 — Chapter IX · COMPOUNDS OF CARBON WITH OXYGEN AND NITROGEN
George Kamensky translation
If ammonia and methane (marsh gas) do not show any acid properties, that is in all probability due to the presence of a large amount of hydrogen in both; but in hydrocyanic acid one atom of hydrogen is under the influence of two acid-forming elements. Acetylene, C2H2, which contains but little hydrogen, presents acid properties in certain respects, for its hydrogen is easily replaced by metals. Hydronitrous acid, HN3, which contains little hydrogen, also has the properties of an acid.