Combinations of different Metals and Chlorine. 203 
resces and appears to lose its acid, for afterwards analysed, it 
is found to be pure corrosive sublimate. 
When I first tried the action of muriatic acid on the differ- 
ent combinations of chlorine already mentioned, I was not 
aware that Klaproth had before observed the solubility of 
horn silver in this acid, and Mr. Cfienevix that of cuprane. 
Horn silver, cuprane, and horn lead are precipitated from 
muriatic acid, unaltered by water. Both the hot saturated 
solutions of the two last compounds deposit crystals on cool- 
ing ; those, from the solution of the former, are of an olive 
green colour and of a prismatic form, and consist of cuprane 
and muriatic acid ; those from the latter, are small white bril- 
liant plates. % 
Finding the combinations of the metals and chlorine, so 
generally soluble in liquid muriatic acid, I expected that some 
of them might absorb muriatic acid gas ; but none that I have 
tried have possessed this property, not even the liquor of 
Libavius. Indeed this is not singular, for water is necessary 
to the composition of many saline bodies, neutral carbonat of 
ammonia and nitrat of ammonia, for instance, cannot be formed 
without the presence of water. Neither is the precipitation of 
cuprane, horn silver, and horn lead from muriatic acid by 
water extraordinary; there are several salts containing metal- 
lic oxides which are liable to the same change, the oxides 
having less affinity for the acid, than water has. 
The action of muriatic acid on the combinations of the differ- 
ent metals and chlorine will, I have little doubt, afford, when 
more minutely investigated, explanations of many phenomena 
which are not yet well accounted for. Before I conclude, 
I shall mention only one instance to which it already appears 
D d 3 
