382. Miscellaneous Intelligence. 
powder. It is characterized by the manner in which potassium and 
phosphorus act on it: the instant they touch it they inflame; the po- 
tassium producing a white flame and dense vapours, but little or no 
liberation of iodine ; and the phosphorus, with a noise as of ebullition, 
violent vapours appearing at the same time. 
The odorous nature of this acid, its volatility, colour, and its 
power of inflaming phosphorus by mere contact, shew that some of 
the principal characters of iodine are retained, and that it is oxyge- 
nated, therefore, in a minor degree, and deserves the name of iodous 
acid. 
Its composition has not been experimentally ascertained. M. Se- 
mentini endeavoured to analyze it by putting 100 grains into the end 
of a long sealed tube, and then dropping a small piece of phospho- 
rus in, iodine was disengaged, and condensed in the upper part of 
the tube, and this was found to amount to 45 grains: but this can 
furnish only very uncertain results. 
Iodous acid dissolves iodine, becoming of a deep colour, more dense 
aud tenacious, and having more strongly the odour of iodine : when 
heated the iodine partially rises from the iodous acid, but they can- 
not be separated in this way. 
M. Sementini believes also in an oxide of iodine, and has given 
the name to the black powder, which is produced by the action of 
sulphurous acid on iodous acid, and which still contains oxygen ; 
but he mentions that this and some other points still require investi- 
gation. 
The following are the properties of the iodic and iodous acids, by 
which a judgment may be formed of their specific difference. Jodzc 
acid is solid, white, without odour, reddening blue colours, and then 
destroying them. Volatile at 456° F., with decomposition: heated 
with charcoal or sulphur it is decomposed with detonation. Jodous 
acid is liquid, yellow, odorous, reddening blue colours, but not de- 
stroying pau volatilizing at 112° F., and even at common tempe- 
ratures without decomposition ; heated with sulphur it is decomposed 
without detonation, and inflames potassium and phosphorus by mere 
contact,— Bib. Univ. xxv. 119. 
18. Preparation of pure Oxide of Uranium.—The following is 
M. Arfwedson’s mode of procuring oxide of uranium pure, Finely 
pulverized pechblende is to be dissolved by a gentle heat in nitro- 
muriatic acid, after which a good deal of water is to be added, anda 
little muriatic acid,if necessary, The undissolved matters, consisting 
of sulphur, silica, and a portion of the gangue, are to be removed, and 
a current of sulphuretted hydrogen passed through the solution as 
long as it affects it. The first precipitate is dark coloured, but the 
latter portions being sulphuret of arsenic is yellow. On filtration, the 
liquor is free from copper, lead, and arsenic, but contains iron, 
cobalt, and zinc. It is now to be digested with a little nitric acid to 
ae en 
