PHYSIOGRAPHY. 



Muriatic Acid Myargyrite. 



Sp. gr. =1-278. BERZ. 1-284. MOHS. 

 Odor pungent. Taste strongly acid. 



1. Muriatic-acid gas consists of 



Muriatic acid - - - - 75-31 



Water - 24-69. BEJRZELIUS : (and 



Muriatic-acid is composed of chlorine and hydrogen, united in equal 

 volumes.) It produces white fumes in the atmosphere, powerfully red- 

 dens vegetable blues, extinguishes combustion, and is fatal to life. At 

 the temperature of 40 Fahr., water absorbs about 480 times its bulk of 

 this gas. Under a pressure of 50 atmospheres, FARADAY converted it 

 into a colorless fluid. 



2. It is found in the crevices and craters of active volcanoes, as those 

 of Etna, Vesuvius and Hawaii. It is also said to be produced by stag- 

 nant waters in salt-mines. 



3. When obtained artificially from the decomposition of common salt, 

 it is employed as a disinfecting agent, and to form the muriate of tin. 

 Dissolved in water, it forms the common muriatic acid of commerce, 

 which, mingled with nitric acid, constitutes the aqua regia, by which 

 gold and platinum are dissolved. 



MURIO-CARBONATE or LEAD. (See Corneous Lead.) 

 MUSSITE. (See Pyroxene.) 



MYARGYRITE. He m i'-pr ism atic Melacone- 

 Blende. 



Primary form. Oblique rhombic prism. M on M' = 

 86 4'. Pon M=101 6'. 



Secondary form. 



Fig. 314. 



