230 MURIATES AND CHLORIDES. 



as I have satisfied myself by the most careful 

 experiments. 



No general principles respecting the constitu- 

 tion of muriates can be deduced from the salts 

 belonging to that genus whose constitution is 

 known ; but it may be worth while to state the 

 facts in a few simple propositions. 



n ) There are five bases which do not seem 



x f 



capable of combining with muriatic acid except 

 in solution. These are 



1 Potash, 4 Mercury, 



2 Soda, 5 Silver. 



3 Lead. 



The combinations which they form, when in the 

 state of crystals or precipitates, are chlorides. 



(2.) All the muriates contain water of crystal- 

 lization, except sal-ammoniac and muriate of 

 zinc. 



(3.) Muriates exist, containing 



1 atom water. Muriates of barytes, cadmium. 



2 atoms water. Muriate of copper. 



3 atoms water. Muriate of alumina, protoimiriate of iron, 



bimuriate of tin. 



4 atoms water. Muriate of manganese, cobalt. 



5 atoms water. Muriates of magnesia, nickel. 

 6' atoms water. Muriate of lime. 



8 atoms water. Muriate of strontian. 



The great variation in the quantity of water in 

 these salts is astonishing. 



