1814.] On Sulphuret of Carbon. 187 



capable of being partly dissolved in a solution of caustic potash, the 

 mixture resolving itself into a carbo-sulphuret and hydro-sulphuret 

 of potash, and a carbonate of potash- It was stated also that me- 

 tallic carho-sulphurets could be obtained by precipitating such an 

 alkaline solution of sulphuret of carbon, by metallic solutions. 

 These trials were attended with the following results j which, 

 though evidently modified by the hydro-sulphuret and carbonate of 

 potash contained in the solution, did not resemble those which would 

 have been produced either by sulphureted hydrogen, or carbonic 

 acid, and therefore were real carbo-sulphurets produced by a double 

 decomposition. 



Muriate of Cerium. — A white, or yellowish-white, precipitate, 

 which, after 24 hours, was converted into a carbonate and hydro- 

 sulphuret of cerium. 



Sulphate of Manganese. — A precipitate of a greenish grey ; the 

 supernatant liquor opalescent and yellowish. This liquor Isad the 

 singular property of assuming, when stirred, a fine purple colour at 

 the surface, which became stronger as the precipitate diffused itself 

 through it. This property diminished as tlie carbo-sulphuret of 

 manganese decomposed itself, and after a few hours it had entirely 

 disappeared. The decomposed carbo-sulphuret presented only a 

 mixture of carbonate and hydro-sulphuret of manganese, having the 

 colour and external properties of the hydro-sulphuret. 



Sulphate of' Tjinc, — A white precipitate ; the supernatant liquor 

 colourless. 



Muriate of Red Oxide of Iron. — A precijjltate somewhat darker 

 than the oxide hself. The hydiate of the oxide, when treated with 

 the carbo-sulphuret of potash, assumed the same colour. An excess 

 of the alkaline carbo-sulphuret dissolved the precipitate, and the 

 solution assumed a flea colour, of such a darkness as to deprive the 

 liquor entirely of its transparency. A small j)ortioo of this liquor, 

 mixed with spriug water, imparted to the water a colour of red 

 wine, which after some time became greenish, and ultimately 

 deposited a white precipitate. The precipitated carbo-sulphuret of 

 iron is, but with great difficulty, dissolved by concentrated muriatic 

 acid ; and it exhales, during its solution, the smell of sulphuret of 

 carbon. 



The Stdmuriale of Antimony, treated by the carbo-sulphuret of 

 potash, assumed a very fine orange colour. 



ihuriate of Tin (intermediate oxide). — A precipitate, which was 

 at first of a pale orange colour, but in a few moaieuts became 

 brown. 



titrate of Cobalt. — A precipitate of a dark olive green, ulli- 

 rnately turning black. 



Nitrate of Lead. — A precipitate of a fine colour of arterial 

 bl(K>d, The supernatant liquor colourless. This precipitate, wlien 

 M^paratcd from the licjuor, and treated with muriatic acid, does not 

 at tirjt appear to dissolve ; but by degrees a muriate of lead is 

 foriDtd, and a strong smell of sulphuret of carbon is evolved. If 



