84 Extract from the third Volume of 



formed by the union of its needles, or in small hard prisms. 

 This acid, however, does not seem at first to possess the 

 property of crystallizing. It is prohahle that it gradually 

 acquires it by the absorption of the oxygen of the atmo- 

 sphere. 



5id. This acid, when put upon the tongue, has at first a 

 sweetish-sour taste, and then kaves a bitter savour. 



3d. If put upon a warm plate of metal it is readily de- 

 composed : it is dissipated in abundant gray fumes which, 

 however, do not affect the smelL There remains a small 

 quantity of ashes, which produce no change in red or blue 

 tincture of turnsole. 



4th. When neutralized by potash it crystallizes into long 

 prisms grouped together. 



5th. When saturated by soda it crystallizes into cubes 

 or triangular plates, sometimes single, and sometimes in 

 groupes. 



6th. When saturated by ammonia it crystallizes in beau- 

 tiful prisms with six planes, which soon lose their transpa- 

 rency in the air : they have then a silvery-white colour. 



7th. M clitic acid dissolved in lime water, into which a 

 solution of barytes or of calcined strontian is poured, drop 

 by drop, produces a white precipitate; but which, if mu- 

 ratic acid be poured into it, becomes redissolved. 



8th. When poured into a solution of aeetite of barytes 

 it produces, in like manner, a white precipitate capable of 

 being redissolved by the addition of nitric acid. 



9th. It produces no cloud, or precipitate, in solution of 

 muriate of barytes; but sonie time after very fme crystals 

 in transparent needles are deposited. 



10th. Solution of nitrate of silver remains clear, and ex- 

 periences no change by the addition of melitie acid. 



11th. Melitie acid poured into a solution of nitrate of 

 mercury, prepared either hot or cold, produces in it a very 

 abundant white precipitate, which is immediately redissoked 

 bv the addition of a new (-uantity of nitric acid. 



12th. When poured into a solution of nitrate of iron it 

 .gives a very abundant precipitate of an isabeila colour, ca- 

 pable of being redissolved by the addition of muriatic acid. 



13th. Poured into a solution of aeetite of lead it gives, 

 in like manner, a very abundant precipitate, which is im- 

 .niediately redissolved by the addition of nitric acid. 



14th. Poured into a solution of aeetite of copper, it gives 

 A grayish -green precipitate. 



15th. liut a solution of muriate of copper experiences 

 UQ .change. 



iCth. It 



