of a metallic Substance called Palladium. 295 
I exposed ten grains of palladium to the action of potash, in 
fusion, during half an hour. The substance lost its brilliancy, 
and diminished two grains and a half in weight : these were 
found in the potash. 
The action of soda upon palladium, does not appear to be 
quite so violent. 
Ammonia, allowed to remain for some days upon palladium, 
acquires a slight bluish tinge, and holds a small portion of oxide 
of palladium in solution. In all these cases, the action of the 
alkali is promoted by the contact of the atmospheric air, the 
oxygen of which combines with the metal, in favour of the affi- 
nity the oxide of palladium possesses towards the alkali. 
Some of the pieces of palladium were more easily acted upon 
by the acids than others ; and, in general, those of the greatest 
specific gravity were the least affected. Upon the whole, how- 
ever, the following statement may be taken as the average of 
the habitudes of palladium with the acid solvents. 
Sulphuric acid, boiled upon palladium, acquires a beautiful 
red colour, and dissolves a portion of the substance. The action 
of this acid is not very powerful, and, upon the whole, it cannot 
be looked upon as a good solvent for palladium. 
Nitric acid acts with much, greater violence upon palladium. 
It oxidizes the substance with somewhat more difficulty than it 
can oxidize silver; and, by dissolving the oxide, forms a very 
beautiful red solution. If the nitric acid be impregnated with 
nitrous gas, its action upon palladium is much more rapid. 
Muriatic acid, by being boiled upon palladium for a consi- 
derable time, acts upon it, and becomes of a beautiful red. 
But the true solvent of palladium is nitro-muriatic acid, which 
attacks it with great violence, and forms a beautiful red solution. 
Oq 2 
