270 Contributions towards [Oct. 



muriatic acid, obviously present in the liquid from the smell, 

 are questions which I cannot at present answer. However, the 

 last opinion is very probable. 



When the solution is evaporated the smell of oxymuriatic 

 acid o-radually disappears, and at the same time black oxide is 

 deposited. The solution assumes a red colour, contains uncom- 

 bined muriatic acid, as is shown by re-agents, is precipitated 

 white by the alkaline carbonates, and exhibits the properties of 

 a common solution of muriate of manganese with excess of acid. 

 The oxymuriatic acid is decomposed, it gives out a portion of 

 oxygen to the oxide, and is changed into common muriatic acid. 

 By farther evaporation the evolution of oxymuriatic acid again 

 commences, the precipitated oxide is again dissolved, and we ob- 

 tain finally the very same quantity of muriate of manganese at 

 first employed. 



To these experiments I will add a few words respecting a new 

 metal which I have found in the Saxon grey ore of manganese, 

 the nature of which I hope soon to make evident. 



This substance is distinguished from all bodies hitherto known 

 by the following properties : 



It appears to occur in the ore in the state of an acid, and it 

 may be separated and volatilized by the action of other mineral 

 acids upon the ore. If the operation be performed in a distilling 

 vessel, and an opportunity be given to the disengaged acid to 

 combine with potash or soda ley, a combination takes place, and 

 a crimson-red solution is obtained, which is not altered by 

 exposure to the air, being in this respect similar to some of the 

 alkaline solutions of manganese. If this solution be mixed with 

 another acid, and heat applied in a retort, the metallic acid is 

 volatilized with a peculiar smell, and the residue consists of a 

 combination of the acid employed with the alkali, without the 

 smallest indication of any other substance, as far as I have been 

 able to discover. 



The crimson-red solution (which I consider as a combination 

 of a peculiar metallic acid with an alkali) is precipitated by 

 gallic acid and by tincture of nutgalls chesnut brown. 

 3 Alkaline prussiates produce no precipitate, but the red colour 

 of the solution is immediately changed to a fine lemon yellow. 

 The solution is not altered by the alkaline carbonates. 



When mixed with some alcohol, and heated a little, it assumes 

 a green colour, gives out an ethereal smell, and alkalies precipi- 

 tate from it a brown oxide, which is soluble in muriatic acid. 



When I treated pure oxide of manganese in the same way I 

 obtained none of these appearances. 



This substance seems to exist only in a small proportion in the 



