32 Expo'iments tipon the liquid Sulphur of Laynpadius. 



are spotted with some deep black specks. This water has 

 the same smell with the hquid sulphur, although much 

 weaker, it possesses the property of precipitating several 

 metallic solutions, and particularly those of lead in an 

 orange yellow, that of oxigenated nmrcury in white, that 

 of tin in brick-coloured yellow ; it does not redden turnsole. 



Concentrated sulphuric acid does not seem to have any 

 very remarkable action upon this substance ; latterly, how- 

 ever, it dissolves a certain quantity, and acquires a fetid 

 smell. 



The nitric acid seems to make it undergo more alteration ; 

 the liquid sulphur at first occupies the upper part of the 

 liquid, but upon agitation it is divided into globules, which 

 unite with great difficulty. Upon placing this mixture in a 

 convenient apparatus, so as to make the gas pass through 

 lime-water at a heat of 13 or 18 degrees, an elastic fluid 

 is liberated, which dots not disturb the lime-water, and 

 which inflames with the same colour as oxide of carbon. 

 But the combustion takes place instantly, and sulphurous 

 acid is extricated after a very pungent smell : the heatiiiust 

 be extremely well managed, otherwise the sulphur would 

 pass into the lime-water. 



The nitric acid employed in this operation contains no 

 trace of sulphuric acid ; when we put it nUo oxy-muriatic 

 acid gas it acquires a citron yellow colour, and in a few 

 seconds that of the gas disappears ; and if we place it in 

 contact with the atmospheric air, it diiiuses a very fetid 

 and arsenical -like smoke in great abundance. It has the 

 property of taking fire upon being bror.ghi near an ignited 

 body this gas when well washed also aifloimes, and after 

 combustion exhales a smell of i^ulphurcus acid, stronger or 

 weaker in proportion as it has been more or less washed. 



We poured upon the liquid isulphur a mixture of the sul- 

 phuric and nitric acids, but there was no inflammation, and 

 the action even seemed to be confined to a simple solution, 

 at least by diluting it with a certain quantity of water the 

 whole became perfectly clear. Some experiments seem to 

 show that the weak acids have more action upon this sub- 

 jitance then the concentrated ones. 



I Pure 



