WITH THE MARINE ACID. 35 1 



nitre. As the mcnftruum, however, in which 

 this mercurial fait is diflblved is not in fufiicicnt 

 quantity, the fait is tumultuoufly coagulated 

 and precipitated in the form of a mucilage. In- 

 ftead of common fait, ammoniacal or other falts 

 containing the muriatic acid may be employed 

 for this purpofe ; the acid itfelf uncombined 

 with any fubftancc might be ufed with advan- 

 tage, if it were not too cxpcnfive. It is, howe- 

 ver, to be obfervcd, that according to Junker, 

 Geoffrey, and Pott, the muriatic acid in its ftatc 

 of fcparation, precipitates a fait from the nitrous 

 iolution of mercury, poficfling more folubility 

 in water *. Freih urine added to this folutiou 

 occaiions a mercurial precipitate of a flefli co- 

 lour ; for which appearance we can readily ac- 

 count, if we confider, that befides common 

 fait, it contains digellivc and ammoniacal falts. 

 The red colour is owing to the admixture of 

 fomc extraneous matter. Lcmcry is of opinion 

 that this mercurial precipitate is milder than the 

 white -j-. 



If on the addition of .common fait, a faturatcd 

 Iolution of mercury is dccompofed, it follows, 

 that the nitrous acid ft* pa rated from the mercu- 

 ry mull be either capable of faturating the alka- 

 line fait, or incapable, or in excels. Which 

 ever of thcfe cafes occurs, may be cafily afccr- 



tained 



* Macqucr di&. <lc Chcmic. 

 f Couu Jc Chcmie, 1675. 



