37S Mr . Chenevix's Observations and Experiments 
I took some white oxide of antimony, (formerly called Alga- 
roth Powder,) precipitated by water from muriate of antimony, 
and heated it for a long time with phosphoric acid. I decanted 
the liquor, and washed the powder that remained. No antimony 
could be found in the liquor ; nor could any traces of phosphoric 
acid be detected in the residuary oxide of antimony. I then took 
a solution of muriate of antimony, and divided it into two equal 
parts : into one, I poured distilled water ; and, into the other, a 
solution of phosphate of soda. In each liquor, a copious preci- 
pitate was formed ; which precipitates, after being well washed, 
were dried. The weight of both was the same ; whereas, it is 
evident that, had any phosphoric acid been combined with the 
oxide, there would have been an augmentation of weight, in 
that which was precipitated by the solution of phosphate of 
soda. This precipitate likewise, upon examination, gave no traces 
of phosphoric acid. From these experiments it appears, that 
there exists no combination, which can be denominated a phos- 
phate of antimony. 
To attempt an explanation of the real nature of the powder 
here spoken of, I had recourse to some experiments of Mons. 
Berthollet. By detonating sulphuret of antimony and nitrate 
of potash, in a crucible, he obtained a mass, which he reduced 
to powder, and washed. The liquor gave, upon evaporation, a 
crystallized salt, which M. Berthollet terms an antimoniate of 
potash . I never could succeed in any attempt to form a similar 
combination between the above white oxide of antimony and 
potash, owing, I believe, to the small quantity of oxygen con- 
tained therein, compared with that which is combined with the 
oxide obtained by detonation. I cannot therefore say, that the 
