MINERAL from GREENLAND. 333 
fully accepted *; and upon comparing the properties of my 
oxide with thofe of oxide of cerium extracted from cerite, I 
was fully fatisfied that they were identical. The more dificult 
folubility of mine, was owing to the method I had employed to 
procure it, and to the ftrong heat to which I had fubjected it ; 
whereas the oxide of cerium from cerite had been examined in 
the ftate of carbonate. 
7. In the many experiments made upon this powder, and 
upon oxide of cerium from cerite, I repeated every thing that 
had been eftablifhed by Berzerius and Histncer, KLaprotu 
_ and Vauquezin, and had an opportunity of obferving many 
-particulars which they have not noticed. It may be worth ~ 
while, therefore, without repeating the details of thefe chemifts, 
to mention a few circumftances, which will be found ufeful 
in examining this hitherto fcarce oxide. 
a. THE precipitate occafioned by oxalate of ammonia is at 
firft in white flocks, not unlike that of muriate of filver, but it 
foon affumes a pulverulent form. It diffolves readily in nitric 
acid, without the affiftance of heat. The fame remark applies 
to the precipitate thrown down by tartrate of potafh. But 
tartrate of cerium is much more foluble in acids than the oxa- 
late. 
b. THE 
* Tur fpecimen of cerite which I analifed, was fo much mixed with aétino- 
lite, that the flatement of the refults which I obtained cannot be of much im- 
portance. The fpecific gravity of the fpecimen was 4.149. I found it compo- 
fed as follows : : 
A white powder, left by muriatic acid, and prefumed to be filica, 47.3 
Red oxide of cerium, - 4 5 44: 
Tron, 3 ks = -. 2 aa 
Volatile matter, - Win tue & 3. 
Lofs, - > - 1. 
100.0 
