152 Mr. Faraday on the mutual action of sulphuric acid 



not affected by ether. Its taste was decidedly bitter. When 

 heated in the air on platinum foil it burnt with a bright 

 smoky flame, like naphthaline, sending flocculi of carbon 

 into the atmosphere, and leaving a mixture of charcoal, 

 sulphuret of barium, and sulphate of baryta. 



After being heated to 212° for some time, the salt appeared 

 to be perfectly dry, and in that state was but very slightly 

 hygrometric. When heated in a tube naphthaline was 

 evolved ; but the substance could be retained for hours at a 

 temperature of 500° F. before a sensible portion of naphtha- 

 line had separated : a proof of the strength of the affinity by 

 which. the hydro-carbon was held in combination. When a 

 higher temperature was applied, the naphthaline, after being 

 driven off, was followed by a little sulphurous acid, a small 

 portion of tarry matter, and a carbonaceous sulphate and 

 sulphuret were left. 



This salt was not affected by moderately strong nitric or 

 nitro-muriatic acid, even when boiled with them ; and no 

 precipitation of sulphate took place. When the acids were 

 very strong, peculiar and complicated results were obtained. 

 When put into an atmosphere of chlorine, at common tem- 

 peratures, it was not at all affected by it. Heat being applied, 

 an action between the naphthaline evolved, and chlorine, 

 such as might be expected, took place. 



When a strong solution of the pure acid was poured into 

 a strong solution of muriate of baryta, a precipitate was 

 formed, in consequence of the production of this salt. It was 

 re-dissolved by the addition of water. The fact indicates 

 that the affinity of this acid for baryta is stronger than that 

 of muriatic acid. 



