152 Mr. Faraday on the mutual action of sulphuric acid 
not affected by ether. Its taste was decidedly bitter. When 
heated in the air on platinum foil it burnt with a bright 
smoky flame, like naphthaline, sending flocculi of carbon 
into the atmosphere, and leaving a mixture of charcoal, 
sulphuret of barium, and sulphate of baryta. 
After being heated to 21 2° for some time, the salt appeared 
to be perfectly dry, and in that state was but very slightly 
hygrometric. When heated in a tube naphthaline was 
evolved ; but the substance could be retained for hours at a 
temperature of 500° F. before a sensible portion of naphtha- 
line had separated : a proof of the strength of the affinity by 
which the hydro-carbon was held in combination. When a 
higher temperature was applied, the naphthaline, after being 
driven off, was followed by a little sulphurous acid, a small 
portion of tarry matter, and a carbonaceous sulphate and 
sulphuret were left. 
This salt was not affected by moderately strong nitric or 
nitro-muriatic acid, even when boiled with them ; and no 
precipitation of sulphate took place. When the acids were 
very strong, peculiar and complicated results were obtained. 
When put into an atmosphere of chlorine, at common tem- 
peratures, it was not at all affected by it. Heat being applied, 
an action between the naphthaline evolved, and chlorine, 
such as might be expected, took place. 
When a strong solution of the pure acid was poured into 
a strong solution of muriate of baryta, a! precipitate was 
formed, in consequence of the production of this salt. It was 
re-dissolved by the addition of water. The fact indicates 
that the affinity of this acid for baryta is stronger than that 
of muriatic acid. 
