Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 77 



with alkaline reaction. To determine the composition of this chlo- 

 rate it was first converted into a chloride by hydrochloric acid, and 

 afterwards into sulphate by sulphuric acid. It is a neutral salt com- 

 posed of Chloric acid .... 76*31 



Lithia 14-59 



Water 9-10 



100- 

 Chlorate of Ammonia. — ^This was obtained by decomposing chlorate 

 of barytes with carbonate of ammonia ; the clear solution was evapo- 

 rated over sulphuric acid, and yielded prismatic crystals, the form of 

 which could not be accurately determined. This salt is very soluble 

 in water, and but little so in absolute alcohol. Vauquelin states er- 

 roneously, that this salt is volatilized below the boiling point of 

 water; when heated to 215° Fahr. it decomposes suddenly, exhibit- 

 ing a red light. The products of the decomposition are the vapour 

 of water, azote, chlorine, oxygen, hydrochloric acid and hydrochlo- 

 rate of ammonia. When mixed with combustible substances, it de- 

 tonates as the chlorate of potash does. In order to determine the 

 composition of this salt it was first converted into chloride of potas- 

 sium, which was decomposed by nitrate of silver. It was found to be 

 composed of Chloric acid .... 74*25 



Ammonia 25 "75 



100* 

 Chlorate of Barytes, — This salt emits light while crystallizing ; its 

 form is a rhombic prism ; when heated to 248° it loses 5*88 per cent, 

 of water, and begins to yield oxygen at 482° ; at above 752° it fuses, 

 and then yields all its oxygen with a trace of chlorine. If the heat 

 be quickly raised, it decomposes suddenly with detonation ; when 

 mixed with combustible bodies it decomposes, like the chlorate of 

 potash, by percussion. It is very sparingly soluble in absolute alcohol, 

 and colours the flame of alcohol deep green. 

 It yielded by analysis, — 



Chloric acid 47*59 



Barytes 46*53 



Water 5*88 



100* 

 Journ. de Pharm. etdeCh., Mai 1844. 



ON THE CHLORIDES OF GOLD. 



Great difficulty has hitherto occurred in preparing the chloride of 

 gold, of the yellow and red colours, perfectly soluble in water and 

 without suffering reduction. The following processes are recom- 

 mended for this purpose : — 



1st. In order to prepare the yellow salt of gold, take aqua regia 

 prepared with three parts of hydrochloric acid, one part of nitric acid 

 and one of distilled water. Then put one part of pure gold into a 

 porcelain capsule and pour the aqua regia upon it ; cover the capsule 

 with a plate of glass and heat it in a salt water bath, the heat being 

 continued till red vapours cease ; the cover is then to be removed, 

 and if the gold is not entirely dissolved, some aqua regia is to be 



