1835.] Chemical Analysis of Gadolinite, Sfc. 415 



Yttria . . . 5*21 or 5*5 

 Muriatic acid . 5*04 „ 5-37 

 Water . . . 5-40 „ 5*5 

 The mean of these two analyses gives us the following 

 constituents : — 



Yttria .... 5-5 

 Muriatic acid . 4*65 

 Water. . . . 4*3 



This, though not quite accurate, comes near enough to 

 shew that the salt contains an atom of acid, united to an 

 atom of base. If it be a chloride, as is probable, then its 

 constituents are, 



1 atom yttrium . . . 4*5 

 1 atom chlorine ... 4 5 

 5 atoms water . . . 5*625 



6. Carbonate of yttria. — Yttria has considerable affinity 

 for carbonic acid, even when precipitated by caustic am- 

 monia. For, when dried in the open air it is partially 

 converted into a carbonate. Carbonate of yttria is a white 

 tasteless powder, insoluble in water, but soluble in the 

 alkaline carbonates. When a solution of yttria, in an 

 alkaline carbonate, is heated, the yttria is precipitated in 

 the state of a carbonate, but is again dissolved when the 

 solution cools. 



6*2 grs. of this carbonate lost, by a red heat, 2*53 grs. 

 Hence, its constituents were, 



Yttria . . . 3*67 or 5*5 

 Carbonic acid . 1*83 „ 2-75 

 Water . . . 0-70 „ 1*05 



6-20 



Through a quantity of freshly precipitated carbonate of 

 yttria, suspended in water, a current of carbonic acid gas 

 was passed for a considerable time, without any alteration. 

 Hence, we have no evidence of the existence of a bicarbo- 

 nate of yttria. 



7. Tartrate of yttria. — A beautiful light white powder, 

 obtained by precipitating sulphate of yttria by tartrate of 

 potash. 5*2 grs. of it lost, by ignition, 3*26 grs. This 

 would indicate for its composition : 



