162 Mr. Chenevix’s Observations and Experiments 
sometimes contained in solution oxide of silver ; which, upon 
examination, I found to be combined with hyperoxygenized 
muriatic acid. As the salt which is thus formed is different, in 
every respect, from simple muriate of silver, it may be of some 
importance to consider it with attention. In the first place, it 
will afford the most convincing proof of the difference between 
muriatic and hyperoxygenized muriatic acid ; and, in the next 
place, it particularly deserves to be remarked, for possessing, in 
the most eminent degree, one of the great characteristic features 
of the genus to which it belongs. Hyperoxygenized muriate of 
silver is soluble in about two parts of warm water ; but, by 
cooling, it crystallizes in the shape of small rhomboids, opaque 
and dull, like nitrate of lead or of barytes. It is somewhat 
soluble in alcohol. Muriatic acid decomposes it; as does nitric, 
and even acetous acid : but the result of this decomposition is 
not, as might be expected, nitrate or acetite of silver. At the 
moment that the acid is expelled from hyperoxygenized muriate 
of silver, a reaction takes place among its elements : ox3^gen is 
disengaged; and the muriatic acid remains in combination 
with the oxide of silver. If this fact be compared with the 
manner in which nitric and acetous acids act upon hyperoxy- 
genized muriate of potash, it will give a strong proof of the 
proportionate affinities of all these acids for oxide of silver, in 
comparison with that which they exercise towards the alkali. 
Hyperoxygenized muriate of silver, when exposed to a very 
moderate heat, begins by melting, and then gives out a consi- 
derable quantity of oxygen gas, with effervescence ; and muriate 
of silver remains behind. These phenomena however differ 
much, according to the degree of heat applied. When hyper- 
oxygenized muriate of silver is mixed with about half its weight 
