upon oxygenized and hyper oxygenized muriatic Acid, &c. 139 
vessels, almost as soon as it began to be evolved. When pure, 
the hyperoxygenized muriates do not precipitate any of the 
metallic salts, although I believe they decompose some. The 
order in which the bases seem to be attracted by the acid, is, 
potash, soda, barytes, strontia, lime, ammonia, magnesia, alu- 
mina, silica. The other earths I have not tried, and but few of 
the metallic oxides. 
1st Species. Hyperoxygenized Muriate of Potash. 
This salt is the best known of all the saline combinations of 
this acid. It has been erroneously considered as simply oxyge- 
nized, for its acid is really hyperoxygenized. It is soluble in 
about sixteen parts of cold water, but in much less of warm ; 
and is easily separated, by crystallization, from muriate of pot- 
ash. Alcohol can dissolve a small portion of it. It seems capable 
of existing in more states than one; for, in passing a current of 
oxygenized muriatic acid, very slowly, and in the dark, through 
a solution of potash, till saturated, I have obtained flexible and 
shining needle-like crystals. This leads me to suspect, either a 
hyperoxygenized muriate of potash with excess of acid, or that 
acid with a superaddition of oxygen. It would be superfluous to 
enter into a minute description of a substance so well known as 
hyperoxygenized muriate of potash ; but, it being the substance 
whence I have chiefly attempted to disengage the acid, I shall 
filter into a particular detail of the action of the more powerful 
acids upon this salt. 
1 1 concentrate sulphuric acid be poured upon hyperoxygenized 
muriate of potash, a violent decrepitation, sometimes but rarely 
accompanied by a flash, takes place. A thick heavy vapour, of a 
greenish yellow colour, which rises with difficulty to the top of 
the vessel, if it be deep, is disengaged. The smell is not altogether 
T 2 
