G. F Barker on normal and derived Acids, 393 
Of a first, there is evidence to believe it is represented by 
formic acid.* Both ortho-and meta-carbonic acids form nu- 
Gerous salts. Calcic ortho-carbonate Ca’,CO,, cupric ortho- 
carbonate Cu’, CO , Faq (malachite) and hydro-tri-cupric or- 
tho-carbonate ‘H, Cu’ ',(CO,)., (azurite) are — of the 
e common carbonates K, aCQ,, etc., of 
The division of the silicates into ortho-and meta~ 
as been very clearly represented by Prof. Dana in 
the last number of this Journal. Ortho- and meta-stannates 
and titanates are well known compounds, 
Of radicals having a higher equivalence, the pentads tanta- 
lum and columbium, forming a series of acids similar to quin- 
quivalent phosphorus, and the hexads molybdenum, vanadium 
and tungsten, whose acids correspond to those of sexivalent 
sulphur, may here be mentioned. 
1 The compounds thus far considered are derived from nega- 
= ra radicals; but, as already intimated, positive elements form 
| 4 similar series of bodies, Since the ‘equivalence of positive 
radicals rarely varies, but a single ortho-base of the same _— 
calisknown. Of ortho-bases, ortho-potassic base HKO, orth 
| = calcic base H, CaO,, and ortho-zirconic base H,ZrO,, are ks 
| amples, The mineral pyrochroite is ortho-manganous base, 
 H,MnO, and brucite is ortho-magnesic base H,M 
- From these, by the loss of the elements of water come the 
Meta-bases, as meta-zirconic base H, ZrO, but they are few in 
number, The perhydrates of the alkaline earths, so aot. 
are probably meta-bases ; as mono-meta-baric HB ; or 
( ie O,, mono-meta-calcic base H,CaO, wu)” 
po i Chere j is a third class of acids which is not Snake ae in 
- either of the divisions above given, I refer to those which 
contain more than a single atom of the radical. Since they 
are derived from the ortho-acids, they are evidently meta-acids. 
tot 
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ts 
BS 
=) 
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ot 
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4 
as 
i 
4 
sa ahh eG Che 
the loss of the elements of three molecules of water, Hie 
20,,—(H,0),=H,P,0,. A simple method of 
these acids is suggested by the principles already given. 
acids derived from two molecules of phosphoric acid, for ex- 
ample, may be called di-phosphoric acids;} and the umber of 
159) y Wurtz (Chemical ycend a ce 
Fe: Schiff (A - Pharm., IV. Suppl, 30), Naquet (Chimi i, 
land (Lecture. cota » chemi mie, Berlin, 1867, 292), (Welt 
tien, Syst. Uebers. der Silicate, Giessen, 1864,) and others though in 
Am. Jour. Sct.—Szconp Serres, Vou. XLIV, No. sie Nov: 1867. 
