SALTS OF SILVER. 



the residual liquid, a little more oxalate of silver 

 fell, weighing very nearly half a grain. Thus, 

 the whole oxalate of silver obtained from 43 

 grains of nitrate was 38*36 grains. This is so 

 near 38*5, the quantity which would have been 

 obtained on the supposition that the salt is a 

 compound of an atom of each constituent, that 

 we cannot hesitate about adopting the following 

 as exhibiting its true constitution : 



1 atom oxalic acid . 4'5 



1 atom oxide of silver . 14-75 



19-25 



Oxalate of silver is obviously anhydrous. 

 Tartrate, 9. Tartrate of silver. When solutions of ni- 

 trate of silver and tartrate of potash are mixed 

 together, a fine white powder falls. If we raise 

 the temperature of the liquid a very little, the 

 colour of the precipitate becomes dark brown ; 

 indeed, this change takes place spontaneously, 

 if the powder be allowed to remain for twenty- 

 four hours in contact with the liquid from which 

 it was thrown down. When this powder is dried 

 upon the filter it is anhydrous ; for 18 grains of 

 it, when heated strongly on the sand bath, be- 

 came black, gave out no water, but lost 0*5 

 grain of weight, owing obviously to a com- 

 mencement of decomposition. 



43 grains of nitrate of silver being dissolved 

 in water, and mixed with a solution of 33 grains 



