MERCURY SULPHITES AND OXYGENOUS SALTS. 107 



phuric acid, but slowly decomposed by h3'drochloric acid into tlie two 

 clilorides of mercury, metallic mercury, and sulphurous acid. It is 

 similarly decomposed by sodium chloride, and by potassium hydroxide. 

 Sulphurous acid, or sodium sulphite, rapidly converts it into mercury, 

 sulphuric acid, and mercuric hydrogen sulphite, or mercuric sodium 

 sulphite. Heated alone, or with very little water, it yields the same 

 products as mercurosic sulphite ; and heated with much water it is 

 wholly and suddenly converted into mercury and sulphuric acid. 



