1 16 Oh some neiu analytical "Researches 



separated bv washing were of a shade of olive, so dark as 

 to appear almost black od white paper. 



The solutions obtained, when passed through a filter, had 

 a faint olive tint, and contained sub-borate of potash, and 

 potash. Incases when, instead of water, a weak solution 

 of muriatic acid \was used for separating the saline matter 

 from the inflammable matter, the fluid came through the 

 filter colourless. 



In describing the properties of the new inflammable sub- 

 stance separated bv washing, I shall speak of that collected 

 from operations conducted in tubes of brass, in the manner 

 that h.is been just mentioned ; for it is in this way that I 

 have collected the largest quantities. 



• It appears as a pulverulent mass of the darkest shades of 

 olive. It is peifectly opaque. It is very friable, audits 

 powder does not scratch glass. It is a non-conductor of 

 electricitv. 



When it has been dried only at 100 or 120°, it gives ofF 

 moisture by increase of temperature, and if heated in the 

 atmosphere, takes fire at a temperature below the boiling 

 point of olive oil, and burns with a red light and scintilla- 

 tions like charcoal. 



If it be excluded from air and heated to whiteness in a tube 

 of platina, exhausted after having been filled willi hydrogen, 

 it is found very little altered after the process. Its colour is 

 a little darker, and it is rather denser; but no indications are 

 given of any part of it having undergone fusion, volatiliza- 

 tion, or decomposition. Before the process its specific gra- 

 vity is such that it does not sink in sulphuric acid; but after, 

 it rapidly falls to the bottom in this fluid. 



The phaenomena of its combustion are best witnessed in 

 a retort filled W'ith oxygen gas. When the bottom of the 

 retort is gently heated by a spirit lamp, it throws ofl^" most 

 vivid scintillations like those from the combustion of the 

 bark of charcoal, and the mass burns with a brilliant light. 

 A sublimate rises from it, which is boracic acid ; and it be- 

 comes coated witli a vitreous substance, which proves like- 

 wise to be boraeic acid ; and after this has been washed off, 

 the residuum appears perfectly black, and requires a higher 

 temperature for its inflammation than the olive coloured 

 substance ; and by ifcs inflammation produces a fresh portion 

 of boracic acid. 



In oxvmuriatic acid gas, the peculiar inflammable sub- 

 dtancfe occasions some beautiful phisnomena. When this 

 gas is brought in contact with it at common temperatures, 



it 



