156 Mr. Chenevix’s Observations and Experiments 
experiments was such as to establish the proportions of corro- 
sive sublimate as follows : 
But, the acid of this salt not being charged with a super- 
abundance of oxygen, we must look for the excess in the 
metallic oxide. I took 100 grains of mercury, and dissolved 
them in nitric acid ; then poured in muriatic acid ; and, at a 
very gentle heat, evaporated to dryness. I afterwards sublimed, 
in a Florence flask, the salt that remained, and obtained 143,5 
of corrosive sublimate. But, 143,5 of corrosive sublimate, con- 
tain 2 6 of acid; which will leave 117,5 for the mercurial 
oxide; and, if 117,5 contain 100 of mercury, 100 of the oxide 
will contain 85. Therefore, the oxide of mercury, in corrosive 
sublimate, is oxidized at the rate of 15 per cent. 
To determine the proportions in calomel, I dissolved 100 
grains of it in nitric acid. The phenomena of the solution have 
been so accurately described by Mr. Berthollet, that I shall 
not repeat them. I precipitated by nitrate of silver; and ob- 
tained a quantity of muriate of silver, corresponding with 11,5 
of muriatic acid. The oxide of mercury I obtained apart. 
Therefore, calomel is composed of, ' 
Oxide of mercury - - 88,5 
Muriatic acid - - - ~ h >5 
100,0. 
To ascertain the state of oxidizement of the oxide in calomel, 
I took 100 grains, and boiled them with nitro-muriatic acid ;. 
Oxide of mercury 
Muriatic acid 
82 
18 
100. 
