1820.] of different inorganic Bodies. 95 



the acid by weight from the specific gravity of the gases, and then 

 calculate from the preceding data the composition of oxide of 

 lead, we find that 100 lead must unite to 7-7448 oxyoen. 



3. The same calculated from the Muriate of Lead. — Fused 

 muriate of lead was pounded, weighed, and dissolved in boilino- 

 water. It left a small portion of submuriate undissolved, which 

 was separated, dried, weighed, and subtracted from the weio^ht 

 of the muriate employed. This precaution is indispensable.*' I 

 have never been able to dissolve fused muriate of lead without 

 its leaving an insoluble residue of submuriate. I have even fused 

 it in a retort filled with muriatic acid gas without beino- able to 

 prevent a partial decomposition : 100 of muriate of lead precipi- 

 tated by nitrate of silver produced 103-35 of muriate of silver. 

 Muriate of lead, therefore, is composed of 



Muriatic acid 19-74 100-000 



Oxide of lead 80-2(5 406-585 



It follows that 100 lead combine with 7-7316 oxyoen. 



4. The same calculated from the Carbonate of Lead. — I prepared 

 the carbonate employed in these experiments by precipitatino- a 

 solution of nitrate of lead by means of carbonate of soda obtained 

 by the calcination of tartrate of soda, or by carbonate of 

 ammonia, both added in excess, and by washing the precipitate 

 with pure water. The carbonate of lead was strongly dried in a 

 heat some degrees above 212°. It was decomposed in a glass 

 retort exactly weighed, and the gas was passed through a1;ube 

 filled with muriate of lime, and exactly weighed. The°carbouic 

 acid gas disengaged in two experiments had a stronger smell 

 than usual resembling oleum cormuervi, when the carbonate of 

 lead had been precipitated by carbonate of ammonia. This cir- 

 cumstance induced me to sublime a portion of sal-ammoniac a 

 second time to prepare carbonate of ammonia by distilling it with 

 carbonate of potash ; but this precaution was unavailing? I had 

 the same odour and the same result in weight ; and we'^see from 

 what follows, that the substance v/hich communicated the odour 

 had no appreciable weight. The analysis gave : , 



Ppcip (rJcd by car- Prerip-taf.-d by car- 

 boiKii.' of soda. Iior.nie of ammonia. 



Carbonic acid 16-442 U)-4.^'7 



Oxideoflead 83-333 '.'.'..'.'. 83-333 



Moisture stopped by the mu- 

 riate of lime 0-225 0*220 



The results of these experiments vary only in the sixth-figure, 

 and may, therefiire, be considered as very near the truth! It 



Sp ^.'*/''"'" ^''^"' *''^* ^*^^ of carbonic acid are neutrahzed by 

 606-823 of oxide of lead. According to the specific gravities of 

 oxygen and carbonic acid gases, as determined bv Araoo and 

 wiot, carbonic acid contains 72-623 per cent, of oxvren? We 



