J. M. Ordway on Sesquisalts. 197 
“Arr. XXUI—Examination of the Soluble Basic Sesquisalts ; by 
. Joun M. Orpway. 
Ir was mentioned in a former communication,* as a proposition 
gd to prove universally true, that the soluble normal salts of 
the higher oxyds—that is of those bases containing more than 
_ One equivalent of oxygen to one of metal—may be made more 
or Jess basic and still remain soluble. In finding out how far 
Statements, which may not, indeed, be of themselves positively 
incorrect, but yet are calculated to impart erroneous ideas. Thus 
rzelius says under the head of chlorure aluminique, “Si on 
pee ring much care, 
Patience, and time. I have thus far been occupied chiefly in 
examining the salts of th ioxyds, with the primary 
__,, Before taking up the oxyds in detail, it may be remarked, that 
the soluble compounds, with rare exceptions, appear to be 
wholly incapable of crystallization. A gum-like character is their 
Sculiar distinguishing feature. By spontaneous evaporation 
dines me tough, shining, transparent masses—the less basic of 
them being again soluble in pure water. Hence when we wish 
to obtain crystals of the normal salts, an excess of base must be 
Carefully avoided. It must have been from want of attention to 
this circumstance that some sesquisalts have been described as 
ct 
- Bo * Amer. Jour. Sci., (2) xxiii, 228. 
_ SECOND SERIES, Vo. XXVI No, 77.—SEPT., 1858. 
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