448 GOLD, PLATINUM, PALLADIUM, &C. 



oxides of gold, (and they have been confirmed by 

 Javal,) then the atomic weight of the protoxide 

 of gold will be 26, and of the peroxide 28. 



4. Sulphuret of gold, formed by pouring hy- 

 goid. drosulphuret of potash into the muriate of gold, 

 was analyzed by Oberkampf. He found it com- 

 posed of 



Gold . 100 25 



Sulphur . 24-39 6-09 



This approaches very nearly to 1 atom gold and 

 3 atoms sulphur. Doubtless the proportion of 

 sulphur in this compound is overrated ; for the 

 sulphuret of gold cannot be dried by heat with- 

 out being decomposed.* This analysis, there- 

 fore, serves to corroborate the atomic weight of 

 gold as just determined. 



Peroxide of 5. Bcrzelius' analysis of the peroxide of gold 

 is likewise very satisfactory. He deduced, from 

 the quantity of mercury necessary to reduce a 

 given weight of peroxide of gold, that it is a 

 compound of 



Gold . 100 or 25 



Oxygen . 12-077 - 3-019 



Had the quantity of oxygen been 12 grains, in- 

 stead of 12-077? the coincidence would have 

 been complete ; but, considering the nature of 



* Aun. de Chim. LXXX. 141. 



