1839.] 



On Chemical Tests. 



347 



129. zmCONlA, The hydrate of zirconia, like that of alumina 

 forms a pale yellow horny mass easily soluble in acids, particularly 

 with heat. Ignited hydrate of zirconia is insoluble in most acids: but 

 if digested a considerable time in sulphuric acid, it becomes soluble in 



boiling water. 



Potash, 

 Ammonia. 



Carboriaie of potash. 

 Carbonate of ammonia. 



Phosphate of soda. 

 Oxalic acid. 



Sulphate of potash. 



Pruss'iate of potash, 



Hydrosulpliuret of amnion > a. 



Liquid sulphuretted hydrogen. £ 

 Sulphuretted hydrogen gas. £ 



} Produce a voluminous precipitate inso- 

 f luble in an excess of the precipitant. The 



f carbonates, however, if greatly in excess 

 ) dissolve a portion of it. 



£ A voluminous precipitate. 



} After a short time, a white precipitate 

 > soluble in a large quantity of muriatic acid, 



A white precipitate, 



A precipitate of zirconia, 



No precipitate. 



a. The neutral solutions of zirconia redden litmus paper. 



b. Solutions of zirconia are distinguished from solutions of alka. 

 lies, barytcs, strontian, lime, and magnesia, in the same manner as so- 

 lutions of alumina are distinguished from those substances. From alu- 

 mina and glucina, zirconia is distinguished by its insolubility in an ex- 

 cess of potash. From thorina and yttria, by giving with a solution of 

 sulphate of potash, when heated, a precipitate which is nearly insolu- 

 ble, not only in water but in acids ; while the precipitates produced 

 by sulphate of potash in solutions of thorina and yttria, can be dissolved 

 by a large quantity of water. Zirconia is also distinguished from yttria 

 by being rendered insoluble in acids (with the exception of sulphuric 

 acid) by ignition, whereas the ignited yttria dissolves pretty easily in 

 muriatic acid. Finally, it is distinguished from protoxide of cerium by 

 not acquiring the red colour of peroxide of cerium on exposure to heat, 

 and by not producing when fused with borax or microcosmic salt before 

 the blow-pipe, a coloured bead, either before or after cooling, provided 

 the zirconia has been completely freed from iron. 



