CHEMICAL PRINCIPLES. 
135 
bine with other bases than alkalis, and the alkaline earths j and Combinations 
if the metallic oxides are reduced to tellurala mei^Uica, ai the tellurium, 
suiiihur of hidrogen reduces a number of metallic oxides to 
metallic sulphats ; all this remains to be examined. 
The experiments prove, in the end, that there is an affinity in 
tellurium to the radicals of the saline bases, on which dejrend 
as well the acid properties of the oxide of tellurium, as of the 
tellurium of oxigen. The proportions in which the radical 
combustibles are found united in all their combinations, are 
among them in definite ratios, as we know it happens, between 
sulphur and those radicals with which it combines, as well in a 
combustible as in an oxidated state. We see, therefore, in 
this, an ulterior confirmation of what I had said above, as well 
on the electro-chemical views, as to the principium aciJitolis. 
On the other hand it is evident, that when the tellurium is 
combined with lead, silver, gold, Src. it acts, in such combina- 
tions, the part of an electro-negative body, as sulphur in the 
sulphurs; these combinations are, therefore, the true tellurata, 
which, when oxidated, will form telluralesof these metals. Let 
us, for example, consult the analyses of M. Klaproth, and we 
shall find that the natural tellures of Nagay, analysed by this 
distinguished chemist, are composed according to these laws. 
The u'eisserz contains in 44'7o gts. of tellurium, 2675 parts of 
gold, ig-5 parts of lead, and 6‘5 parts of silver. The quantity 
of oxigen required to form oxides with these metals, are, from 
what 1 shall have an opportunity to say hereafter, for gold 3 21, 
for lead f5, and for silver 0 6'i, or together 5 23. Now we 
h.ave seen that 4475 parts of tellurium forms oxide of tellurium 
Nvith 11 parts of oxigen, which is the oxigen requisite for 
oxidating the other three metals for 5‘33 X 2= 10'66. 
The ILittererk, which, perhaps, should be considered tellurate 
of lead, or 32 2 parts of telluiium, 54 of lead. The first requires 
to form itsoxide7 g0'5 parts of oxigen, and the latter 4'18 p. 
which is nearly in the proportion of two to one, so that w'e may 
consider (he deviation as an imperfection in tlie analyds. This 
mineral contains, besides p pennyweights of gold, penny- 
weight of copper, I dwt. of silver, and 3 dwt, of sulphur, 
in 
