J 826.] and Naphthaline , and on a new Acid produced, 205 



there, and ultimately the whole became a brownish-yellow solid. 

 A sufficient addition of water dissolved nearly the whole of this 

 hydrated acid, a few flakes only of napthaline separating. 



A portion of the impure acid in solution was evaporated at a 

 moderate temperature ; when concentrated, it gradually assumed 

 a light-brown tint. In this state it became solid on cooling, of 

 the hardness of cheese, and was very deliquescent. By further 

 heat it melted, then fumed, charred, Sec. and gave evidence of 

 the abundant presence of carbonaceous matter. j 



Some of the impure acid in solution was neutralized by potasb> 

 during which no naphthaline or other substance separated. The 

 solution being concentrated until ready to yield a film on its 

 surface, was set aside whilst hot to crystallize : after some hours 

 the solution was filled with minute silky crystals, in tufts, 

 which gave the whole, when stirred, not the appearance of 

 mixed solid salt and liquid, but that of a very strong solution of 

 soap. The agitation also caused the sudden solidification of so 

 much more salt, that the whole became solid, and felt like a 

 piece of soft soap. The salt, when dried, had no resemblance to 

 sulphate of potash. When heated in the air, it burnt with a 

 dense flame, leaving common sulphate of potash, mixed with 

 some sulphuret of potassium, resulting from the action of the 

 carbon, &c. upon the salt. 



Some of the dry salt was digested in alcohol to separate com- 

 mon sulphate of potash. The solution being filtered and evapo- 

 rated, gave a white salt soluble in water and alcohol, crystalline, 

 neutral, burning in the air with much flame, and leaving sulphate 

 of potash. It was not precipitated by nitrate of lead, muriate 

 of baryta, or nitrate of silver. 



It was now evident that an acid had been formed peculiar in 

 its nature and composition, and producing with bases peculiar 

 salts. In consequence of the solubility of its barytic salt, the 

 following process for the preparation of the pure acid was 

 adopted. 



A specimen of native carbonate of baryta was selected, and 

 its purity ascertained. It was then pulverized, and rubbed in 

 successive portions with a quantity of the impure acid in solu- 

 tion, until the latter was perfectly neutralized, during which the 

 shght colour of the acid was entirely removed. The solution 

 was found to contain the peculiar barytic salt. Water added to 

 the solid matter dissolved out more of the salt ; and ultimately 

 only carbonate and sulphate of baryta, mixed with a little of 

 another barytic salt, remained. The latter salt, being much less 

 soluble in water than the former, was not removed so readily by 

 lixiviation, and was generally found to be almost entirely taken 

 up by the last portions of water applied with heat. 



The barytic salt in solution was now very carefully decom* 

 posed, by successive additions of sulphuric acid, until all the 



