OF MERCURY. 397 



of mercury was mixed with some peroxide, I 

 am disposed to consider the salt as a compound 

 of 



1 atom nitric acid . 6-?5 



1 atom protoxide of mercury 26 

 '2 atoms water . . 2-25 



35 



I attempted to determine the quantity of nitric 

 acid in 50 grains of this salt by means of carbo- 

 nate of barytes, and by means of ammonia ; but 

 neither of the results was satisfactory. 



M. Grouvelle has examined the diprotonitrate 

 of mercury, obtained by decomposing the proto- 

 nitrate, by means of water, and shown it to be 

 a compound of 



1 atom nitric acid . 6'75 



2 atoms protoxide of mercury 52 



58-75 



It contains no water.* 



3. Protocarbonate of mercury. This salt was Protocar. 

 obtained by precipitating a solution of nitrate of 1 * 

 mercury by carbonate of soda. It is a white, 

 tasteless powder, insoluble in water. 41*4 grains 

 of it were dissolved in nitric acid in a small two 

 mouthed phial, previously accurately poised in a 

 balance; the loss of weight was 6 grains, or 



* Ann. de Chim. et tie Phys. XIX. 139. 



