59 
of the Acid of Borax. 
which I adapted a proper receiver, and then placed the mixture 
in a gentle digestive heat, of from 140° to 200° of Fahrenheit. 
The fluid was distilled over very slowly, and the salt was dry 
on the third day. The salt in the retort seemed unchanged: 
nor had the marine acid lost any thing of its usual smell. 
Exp. 11. I poured the distilled fluid out of the receiver upon 
the same salt, and exposed them to the same degree of heat as 
before. The salt again became dry on the third day, but there 
was yet no appearance of any change. 
Exp. hi. I repeated the same process a third time. I now- 
perceived, during the distillatory digestion, several bright yel- 
low spots upon the salt, as it ascended the sides of the retort, 
resembling well-formed ammoniacal flowers of iron ; more of 
which I discovered, after the entire exhalation of the fluid. 
Exp. iv. The above change induced me to repeat the distilla- 
tion ; and I then perceived, not only as many, but a much greater 
number of bright yellow spots, some of which were even 
much darker in colour, and approaching to brown. A change 
had now evidently taken place, which change increased upon 
every repetition of the process; I therefore judged I might 
follow this direction with confidence. But, with a view to use 
the greatest accuracy and precaution in my proceedings and 
observations, I resolved to begin my work over again. 
First, I procured some ounces of sedative salt, which had 
been obtained from borax by means of vitriolic acid; and then 
prepared two quarts of the abovementioned oxygenated muriatic 
acid, by distilling three parts of muriatic acid with one part of 
the purest manganese, in the usual manner; this I preserved 
in a cool dark place. Thus, the substances used in the follow- 
ing experiments, were always of the same nature. 
I 2 
