on the Nature of certain Bodies. 95 
I introduced phosphorus into a receiver having a stop-cock, 
which had been exhausted, and admitted oxymuriatic acid gas. 
As soon as the retort v/as full, the phosphorus entered into 
combustion, throwing forth pale white flames. A white sub- 
limate collected in the top of the retort, and a fluid as limpid 
as water, trickled down the sides of the neck. The gas seemed 
to be entirely absorbed, for when the stop-cock was opened, 
a fresh quantity of oxymuriatic acid, nearly as much as would 
have filled the retort, entered. 
The same phenomenon of inflammation again took place, 
with similar results. Oxymuriatic acid gas was admitted till 
the whole of the phosphorus was consumed. 
Minute experiments proved, that no gaseous muriatic acid 
had been evolved in this operation, and the muriatic acid was 
consequently to be looked for either in the white subli- 
mate, or in the fluid which had formed in the neck of the 
retort. 
The sublimate was in large portions, the fluid only in the 
quantity of a few drops. I collected by different processes, 
sufficient of both for examination. 
The sublimate emitted fumes of muriatic acid when exposed 
to air. When brought in contact with water, it evolved mu- 
riatic acid gas, and left phosphoric acid, and muriatic acid, dis- 
solved in the water. It was a non-conductor of electricity, 
and did not burn when heated ; but sublimed when its tempe- 
rature was about that of boiling water, leaving not the slight- 
est residuum. I am inclined to regard it as a combination of 
phosphoric, and muriatic acid in their dry states. 
The fluid was of a pale greenish yellow tint, and very limpid ; 
when exposed to air, it rapidfy disappeared, emitting dense 
