298 * ACCOUNT OF CtftJUM. 



A concentrated folution of this fait takes a blood colour, 

 on account of a fmall quantity of iron, which, by drying, 

 patTes to yellowifh white, but is reftored by a new folution. 



A colourlels and lefs oxided nitrate of cerium, is obtained 

 by dilTolving the yellowith fait in alcohol; the (blution inflames 

 and yields a white fait. 



It is deftroyed by fire, which drives off its acid. 



With Muriatic Acid. 



Muriate of ce- (E.) The calcined oxide of cerium is flowly diflblved in 

 vium. muriatic acid in the cold, and more readily by heat ; an effer- 



vefcence is produced, owing toadifengagement of oxigenated 

 muriatic acid gas. The tafte of the folution is faccharine and 

 aflringent; the colour is a very faint greenilh yellow: the 

 dried faline mafs is yellowilli white, and attracts humidity. 

 We only fucceeded once in obtaining it cryflallized. The 

 cry(]als were white, brilliant, in four fided prifms, with the 

 points cut off. The fait difFolves readily in alcohol, and its 

 concentrated folution burns with a yellow and fparkling flame. 

 The refidue of the fait is white and gives a colourlefs fo- 

 lution. It is muriate of cerium at a minimum of oxidation. 



Heated in clofed vefTels, the water of cryftallization is firfl 

 diflipated, afterwards the acid palTes in the form of oxigenated 

 muriatic acid gas. If the operation is flopped before the acid 

 is entirely volatilized, an undecompofed muriate of cerium, at 

 a minimum of oxidation remains. 



If the muriate of cerium contains iron, it all fublimes in a 

 brown deliquefcent mafs. Nothing remains in the matrafs but 

 a white oxide of cerium, which attracts the humidity of the 

 air, and becomes yellow. Thus, fublimation with muriate of 

 ammonia may be employed to purify a muriate of cerium which 

 contains a little iron. 



With Phojphoric Acid. 



Phofphate of ce- (F.) Free phofphoric acid, faturated with an alkali, preci- 

 T('^^^» pitates muriate of cerium. The precipitate is white, and 



ibluble in muriatic acid and in nitric acid employed in fufficient 

 quantity. 



This fait is alfo obtained by digefling pure oxide of cerium, 

 moiflened with phofphoric acid. It is not foluble in an excefs 

 of this acid. 



With 



