270 FIXED ALKALIES AND ALKALINE EARTHS. 



into chloride of barium ; and that when chloride 

 of barium is dissolved in water, it becomes mu- 

 riate of barytes. We may, therefore, employ 

 13 '25 grains of chloride of barium as an equiva- 

 lent for 14*375 grains of muriate of barytes, and 

 as capable of yielding 9*75 grains of barytes. 



These things being understood and recollected, 

 we are prepared for an experimental investigation 

 of the atomic weight of barytes. 

 Atomic 13'25 grains of chloride of barium, and 11 



weight of 



barytes. grains of sulphate of potash, were dissolved in 

 separate portions of distilled water, and the two 

 solutions were mixed together. A double de- 

 composition took place, sulphate of barytes pre- 

 cipitated to the bottom of the vessel, while mu- 

 riate of potash remained in solution. Both of 

 these salts were quite neutral, and the solution 

 contained no traces either of sulphuric acid or of 

 barytes. The sulphate of barytes being collected 

 weighed 14*75 grains ; the solution being eva- 

 porated to dryness, left 9*5 grains of chloride of 

 potassium. Now, the weights of these two salts 

 amount to 24*25 grains, which is just equal to 

 the combined weights of the chloride of barium, 

 and sulphate of potash employed in making the 

 experiment. 



11 grains of sulphate of potash contain 5 

 grains of sulphuric acid, which must exist in the 

 14*75 grains of sulphate of barytes. Conse- 

 quently, that salt must be a compound of 



