EAIs'IENCE OF WATER IN MURIATIC GAS. 



operations by the preparation of the muriatic gas. Two 

 ounces of muriate of ammonia, in coarse powder, and which 

 had been kept heated for two days, were mixed with 9 

 drachms by measure of sulphuric acid, of the specific gra- 

 vity of 185, in a tubulated retort. The gas soon began to 

 form, without the assistance of heat; and, after a consider- 

 able quantity had escaped, we, received a portion of it over 

 mercury. 7'he gas was perfectly transparent and colourless, 

 no moisture was perceived within the jar, and none was visi- 

 ble in any part cf the retort; it was indeed observed, that 

 some particles of the .muriate of ammonia,, which had 

 lodged on the lower part of the neck of the vessel, remained 

 perfectly dry at the end of the process. A quantity of mu- 

 riate of lime, perfectly dry and pulverulent, was introduced 

 through the mercury into the muriatic gas, and in this state 

 it remained for 48 hours. 

 Preparation of The ammoniacal gas was prepared by introducing into a 

 the ammonia- re tort equal weights of newiv burned quick lime and muri- 

 ate of ammonia, in the same state with that used above. 

 By means of a lamp gas was expelled, and after a sufficient 

 quantity had escaped, a portion was received over mercury. 

 When the jar was become cold, a little dew was perceived 

 on the upper part, which was very carefully removed by 

 bibulous paper, introduced on the end of a wire. A consi- 

 derable lump of dry quick lime was then placed in the gas, 

 apd was suffered to remain for 48 hours. 

 Mixture of At the cod of this time we resumed our operations. Upon 



the g;isse». t] ltJ closest iuspection we could not perceive the least mois- 

 ture in either of the gasses, or appearance of it in the jars ; 

 the lime and the muriate of lime were withdrawn, and it was 

 observed, that. J:he latter was to all appearance as dry as 

 when it was first introduced. A flask, furnished with a 

 ground stopper and bent tube, had 13 cubic inches of am- 

 moniacai gas introduced into it. over mercury, and to this 

 was added 6 cubic inches of muriatic gas in successive por- 

 tions. Trie flask was then entirely filled with arnmoniacal 

 gas, and the apparatus was left at rest for about an hour ; 

 it was coated, more especially at its lower part, with a fine 

 Mu-bteof frost work of muriate of ammonia. The stopper and tube 



imroonia were tueu introduced, and the flask was turned over, but so 

 ionned, and, • 



that 



