are owing to its combination with thé oxygen ie atmosphere 
From this combination, two acids are formed, according tot 
portion of oxygen : the phosphorus, which is feetid, and when héat- 
ed, emits luminous vapors, and the phosphoric, which is inodor & 
and more powerful as an acid than the other. Phosphorus is one 
the component principles of animal substances. 
Besides the acids formed by the oxygenation of these Sitnple inflate 
mable bodies, there are three not yet decomposed, but which are sup- 
posed from analogy to be of a similar composition ; the muriatic, 
oric, and boracic. j 
The MURIATIC ACID exists in ae sal: and in various other natura 
substances. In its pure state it is gaseous, has a fo 
odor, and extinguishes combustion. It is rapidly absor ir 
large “quantity, by water ; and it is under the form of this ® dobation 
that it is generally used. It possesses in an eminent degree the gene- 
ral acid properties. It combines with the alkalies and earths; and 
though incapable of affording oxygen directly to the metals, it affects 
the oxydation of many of them, by enabling them to’ decompose the 
water it contains. This acid is capable of being combined witha 
considerable proportion of oxygen, forming the oxy-muriatic acid. 
The acid powers of this are inferior to those of the sim > muriatic 
acid ; but parting with facility with the ee combined with i 
acts with more energy on many inflammable substances. — 
The fluoric and hones: acids cannot be regarded as phe 
The METALS, the third 2 of simple substances, are Sutiesente < 
ed by their opacity, brilliancy, fusibility, ductility, malleability, ial. 
by ing a specific gravity superior to that of any other classof 
Skene They are truly inflammable, since they are capable of com- 
bining with oxygen, and many of them during their oxydation emit 
light and caloric. It scarcely comes within the limits of pharma- 
ceutic chemistry to notice all the metals particularly: itis sufficient 
to take a general veiw of their properties, and of their cians in 
combination. 2 
The metals are very various in their degree of fusibility. 
_ does not become solid but at a'temperature equal to 
0 of Fahr., while iron or platina requires a very intense heat ge 
fusion. - They differ also in their ductility and malleability. Gold 
is at once the most ductile and most malleable, that is, it can be 
drawn into the finest wire, and beat into the thinnest plates, without — 
its texturé being injured. The other metals possess these properties _ 
in different d some being ductile which scarcely are malleable, _ 
and vice versa: | eae are neither ductile nor malleable. These Se 
have been improperly termed semi-metals. Specific gravity is oe: oe 
property by which the metals are most clearly distinguished. ee 
specific gravity of the heaviest stone is to that of water as 4 ols 
while that of the lightest metal is as 6 to 1. 
Metals are very susceptible of combination. They unite swith 
ead with ‘phosphorus, and with each other. Their comb 
with o are the most extensive and important. 
This combination is effected in different ways. When 
ae ic 
