360 On the Discovery of Fluoric Acid in the Condrodite. 
ter, consider this mineral a Silico Calcareous Oxide of Ti- 
_tanium, and make a misstatement to Hatiy? Can we sup- 
the world, without an indication of any one of its phys- 
ical or chemical characters; not a Word was even said 
about the bed where nature had castit! These gentlemen 
might with equal propriety claim any new substance con- 
taining fluoric acid and magnesia. Notwithstanding all 
their efforts, not one of them has cited a single experiment 
which he made with this mineral! When Mr. Nuttall first 
claimed the discovery of the fluoric acid, in the Sparta min- 
eral, he at the same time said, that his results were con- 
firmed by Dr. Torrey’s experiments.t Why did he then 
neglect the more important one which he now urges in fa- 
vor of Dr. Langstaff? he alone can account for the omis- 
sion. In his late reply to me he says, that Dr. Torrey, five 
ears ago, “also found the existence of fluoric acid, as 
well as the other ingredients mentioned in the analysis of 
Dr. Langstaff.”{ From these statements it would seem, 
that Dr. Langstaff, in 1811, made an analysis of the 
mineral from Sparta, and that his results were confirm- 
ed by Dr. Torrey in 1817; still the Bructte was introduced 
to the scientific world in 1819, only with its name, without 
. character, and regardless of its birth-place!_ Now they even 
dispute who discovered this mineral. Whilst Dr. Bruce lv- 
ed, that merit was given to him; but since the decease of 
that gentleman, his former pupil, Dr. Langstaff, claims the 
discovery for himself! This might be considered of no 
consequence to the question, did it not prove, how opinions 
concerning facts, that we supposed long ago well establish- 
ed, have been changed to answer temporary purposes. 
en the name “ Brucite” first occurred in the Journal 
of Science and Arts, | supposed it was intended to desig- 
*The annunciation of that mineral was made, not at the instance of Dr. 
Langstaff, but by the request of Col, Gibbs; the promised analysis was, 
however, never forwarded,—Ep. 
+Journal of Arts and Science, Vol. V. p. 245. tIbid, Vol, VI, p. 172. 
