!4<2 Mr. Chenevix*s Observations and Experiments 
day, and at the temperature of the atmosphere. By cooling the 
first receiver with ice, I thought that I had once obtained 
this acid crystallized in the form of four-sided pyramids, of an 
orange colour. But, though I really believe this to have been 
the case, I do not positively affirm it. 
Nitric acid produces nearly the same phenomena; but the 
smell and other properties are rather less distinct and marked, 
than with sulphuric acid. 
Muriatic acid decomposes this salt, and unites to its basis ; 
but neither the yellow vapours, nor the orange-coloured liquor, 
are produced. The circumstances which attend the contact of 
the acid and the salt, are as follows. If no more muriatic 
acid be present than is merely necessary to decompose the salt, 
I do not doubt that hyperoxygenized muriatic acid will be 
driven off, as little decomposed as with the other acids, supposing 
the action to be instantaneous ; but, during the contact of these 
two bodies, the acid expelled must meet muriatic acid not yet 
combined, and, uniting with it, always forms a portion of oxy- 
genized muriatic acid. The quantity of the last acid must vary, 
according to the quantity of muriatic acid employed, and not 
combined with the alkali. It was by this method that Mr. 
Cruickshank obtained the muriatic acid gas, which he stated 
to contain 43,5 per cent, of oxygen. 
Phosphoric and arsenic acids do not act upon this salt, till 
heated with it ; and then much oxygen gas is evolved. These, 
therefore, afford no better method of disengaging hyperoxyge- 
nized muriatic acid without decomposition. 
Oxalic, tartareous, and citric acids, act as I before men- 
tioned ; and the hyperoxygenized muriatic acid holds its place, 
in the order of affinities for potash, immediately before the 
benzoic. 
