BiPPELW DI 145 
cryftals readily, which, when moft regular, are octohedral, 
confifting of two quadrangular pyramids, united at their bafes. 
They efflorefce in 'a dry atmofphere, in a moift they deliquefce. 
One ounce of diftilled water, at temperature 60, diffolves an e- 
qual weight of this nitrate of Strontites; when boiling, one 
ounce, feven drachms. fourteen grains. It deflagrates on hot 
coals. Subjected to heat ina crucible, it decrepitates gently, 
melts and boiling lofes its acid. The contact of a combuftible 
body at this time caufes a deflagration, with a beautiful vivid 
red flame. 
Murratic acid affaults the Strontian mineral in a manner very 
fimilar to the nitric. The folution is free from colour, has a pe- 
netrating peculiar tafte, and affords cryftals freely. Thefe are 
long flender fpicule or hexagonal prifms. Muriate of Stron- 
tites, in a very moift air, fhows a difpofition to attra@ humidi- 
ty, contains 42 per cent. of water, and when heated, firft un- 
dergoes the aqueous, then a true fufion, but without lofs of 
acid, which may be expelled by a more vehement heat. One 
ounce of diftilled water, at temperature 60, diffolved twelve 
drachms, one {cruple ; when boiling above four ounces. 
STRONTITEs, and all its combinations, poflefs the remarkable 
property of tinging flame of a red colour. The muriate has it in 
the moft eminent degree, and its effects are well exhibited by put- 
ting a portion of the falt on the wick of a candle, which is 
thereby made to burn with a very beautiful blood-red flame. 
The nitrate ftands next, then cryftallized Strontites, and after it 
the acetite. The following combinations of little folubility . 
give comparatively a very feeble tinge: Tartrite, fulphate, ox- 
alate, fluate, arfenicate, carbonate, phofphate, and borate. The 
order of enumeration denotes their relative tinging powers. 
A CERTAIN portion of humidity, either belonging to the 
compofition or/added, is neceflary to enable any of thefe Stron- 
titic falts to alter the hue of the flame. The muriate itfelf, de- 
prived of moifture, produces no effect. , 
Vor. HI.) (T) ALL 
