tn different chemical Processes on Fluor Spar. 277 



mercury, acted upon the glass, and silicated fluoric acid 

 gas was generated. On examining the platina tray, how- 

 ever, it was found corroded, and the reddish brown powder 

 formed. 



In the course of these investigations, I made several attempts 

 to detach hydrogen from the hquid fluoric acid, by the agency 

 of oxygen and chlorine. It was not decomposed when passed 

 through a platina tube heated red with chlorine, nor by being 

 distilled from salts containing abundance of oxygen, or those 

 containing abundance of chlorine. 



I distilled the fluates of lead and mercury with phosphorus 

 and sulphur, with the hope of obtaining compounds of the 

 fluoric principle with phosphorus and sulphur. In all experi- 

 ments of this kind, a decomposition took place, and the glass 

 tubes employed were violently acted upon, and sulphurets 

 and phosphurets were formed. When I used tubes lined with 

 sulphur the decomposition was less perfect; but minute quan- 

 tities of limpid fluid condensed in a part of the tube cooled by 

 ice, both in the cases when sulphur and when phosphorus 

 were used; it had the appearance of hydrofluoric acid, and 

 speedily dissipated itself in white fumes. Whether they were 

 that substance which had obtained its hydrogen from these in- 

 flammable bodies, or compounds of sulphur and phosphorus 

 with the fluoric principle, I have not ascertained, but the first 

 opinion seems most probable. 



When I heated fluate of lead and finely powdered charcoal 

 strongly in the air, the lead became revived, and white fumes 

 were produced. I thoaght it probable, that in this case a com- 

 pound of fluorine and charcoal was formed ; but on trying 

 the experiment in a close vessel of platina, no change took 



O 03 



