12 ACCOUNr of a MINERAL 



25. This fait is very foluble in water. One ounce of dlflil- 

 led water at temperature 60 diflblved an equal weight. With 

 the aid of a boiling heat, the fame quantity diflblved one ounce, 

 feven drachms and fourteen grains. 1 he folution, faturated in 

 a boiling heat, parts not with the fait immediately on cooling, 

 but depofits it flowly in the form of a confufed mafs of cryftals. 

 The nitrate of Strontites in a dry air lofes its water of cryftalli- 

 zation and efHorefces ^ in a moift, it attra(5ls humidity, and runs 

 per deliquium. 



26- This, as all other nitrates, deflagrates on hot coals. Sub- 

 je(5led to heat in a crucible, it decrepitates gently, and then 

 melts. When the heat rifes to rednefs, it begins to boil, and 

 the acid is difllpated. If a combufl:ible fubftance be at this 

 time brought into contacfl with it, a deflagration, with a very 

 beautiful vivid red flame, is produced. By the operation of the 

 heat, the fait fuffers a complete decompofition, the acid is ex- 

 pelled, and the earth remains in a fl:ate of purity, unlefs in- 

 flammable matter has gotten accefs to it, in which cafe it will 

 prove a carbonate. 



With Muriatic Acid. 



27. Very fimilar phenomena to thofe already defcribed, as 

 attending the adlion of nitrous acid on the Strontian fpar, are 

 exhibited on pouring muriatic acid on this fubftance. When 

 the acid is concentrated, and the fpar is in folid pieces, no ac- 

 tion whatever, or very little, takes place. The eflervefcence is 

 briflc, and the folution rapid, when the acid is diluted with 

 about an equal weight of water. A gentle heat, applied to the 

 ftrohg acid, has the fame effe6l as dilution. 



28. The folution in the weak acid is tranfparent and free 

 from colour, and aflfbrds cryftals moft readily. On dilTipating 

 part of the fluid by heat, and permitting the reft to cool, the 

 muriatic fait cryftalhzes in a beautiful manner. The cryftals 



are 



