430 , On Iodine. Chlorine, Fluorine, tic. [June, 



The sulphuric acid supplies it with oxygen, and is itself converted 

 into sulphurous ucid. It is only in tliis form that the substance in 

 question can be separated from the oxides, and not in the state of a 

 complete acid. We may at once distinguish the source of this 

 new body and preserve its analogy with chlorine and fluorine, by 

 giving it the name of varine, varic acid, varate, gas varinique, &c. 



Varine sublimes at a heat below 212°. It then crystallizes and 

 assumes the colour and metallic as(DCct of native sulphuret of lead. 

 Its vapour lias u line violet colour, and a smell analogous to that of 

 chlorine. 



With hydrogen varine forms a gaseous, colourless acid, having a 

 smell somewhat similar to that of muriatic acid. With the metals 

 it forms dry varutes, and with their oxides oxygenated varates, 

 which give out oxygen gas at a red heat, and which detonate when 

 mixed with phosphorus, sulphur, &c., and struck with a hammer. 

 The hyperoxi/genaled varate of a)iuiionia may he obtained directly by 

 mixing the liquid alkali with varine. This salt is almost insoluble 

 in water, it has the ajipcarancc of a black powder. When dry It 

 detonates on tiie slightest friction. 



Varine combines with phosphorus and forms a compound similar 

 to sealing wax, which is converted by water into varic acid and 

 phosphorous acid. 



Water does not separate varic acid from oxygen ; but oxygen 

 separates it from water. This shows us that this acid is more of a 

 combustible nature than a supporter of combustion. There ap- 

 pears to exist a compound composed of varine and varic acid gas. 

 The oxymuriatic acid of Berthollet is doubtless a similar com- 

 bination. 



Varine combines with chlorine and forms a solid crystallized 

 body of a yellow colour, which attracts humidity from the atmos- 

 phere. Varic acid in the state of gas exchanges its water for the 

 oxygen of chlorine, and the varine manifests its presence by its 

 beautiful colour. 



Alcohol and ether dissolve varine, and no sensible change is 

 produced either in these liquids or in the varine. 



Nobody has hitherto separated the oxygenated varine from the 

 hyperoxy-varates. Tiiis is natural, as the varic acid is not separable 

 from bases by other acids. Most acids expel chlorine from its salts ; 

 but oxygenated chlorine separates sulphuric acid from ammonia 

 when it forms the detonating oil, which is beyond doubt a hyper- 

 oxymuriate of ammonia, and the very same substance which 1 ob- 

 tained and made known 20 years ago. 



Wiien this detonating oil is directly exposed to the light of the 

 sun under water, oxygen gas in abundance is given out, and there 

 rema.ins common muriate of ammonia. This fact, joined to the 

 circumstance that muriatic acid when in sufficient quantity be- 

 comes oxygenated, and when in smaller quantity becomes hyper- 

 oxvgenated, puts the nature of this body beyond all doubt. The 

 hyperoxygenated varate of aa'.moula will no doubt exhibit the same 



