304 
DR. KANE ON THE CHEMICAL HISTORY 
The specimen employed in the above analysis had been dried at a temperature of 310°, 
and had lost a quantity of water which it retains when dried at lower temperatures ; 
the quantity of water thus loosely combined was found to be three equivalents. 
When we look to the constitution of the formula just described, we may probably 
consider the chlorine to exist as sal-ammoniac, and then combined with an ammonia 
oxide of platinum, such as is found really to exist; thus the formula may become 
2(Pt0 2 + NH 3 ) + ClNH 4 . 
It also obviously bears a remarkable relation to the constitution of the fawn-coloured 
substance, four equivalents of muriatic acid being removed from the latter, and being 
replaced by one equivalent of ammonia and one of water. 
D. When the action of the water of ammonia is still longer continued, this brown 
matter dissolves and a perfectly colourless liquor is obtained, from which nothing 
separates by cooling. If, however, a quantity of spirit of wine be added, a copious 
white, or pale-yellowish white precipitate is produced. This, on drying, aggregates 
into a mass like coarse meal, which when powdered is nearly quite white. 
This substance is not insoluble in water, and dissolves readily in water of ammonia : 
its solution gives with the oxalic and muriatic acids copious white precipitates, and 
it dissolves in sulphuric and nitric acids, giving crystalline compounds ; when heated 
it evolves water, ammonia, nitrogen and sal-ammoniac, and leaves metallic platinum. 
Its analysis was conducted in the usual manner. 
I. 25*357 grains gave 13*043 of platinum, or 50*94 per cent., and yielded by subse- 
quent treatment 18*552 of chloride of silver, corresponding to 18*03 of chlorine in 100. 
24*838 grains gave 9*089 of water, equivalent to 3*91 of hydrogen in 100. 
22*102 grains gave 10*1259 cubic inches of pure nitrogen at 30 inches barometer 
and 32° Fahr., equivalent to 14*69 per cent. 
II. Another quantity prepared at a different time and of a rather more decidedly 
yellowish shade than the former was also analysed. 
11*406 grains ignited gave 5*741 of platinum, or 50*34 per cent. An accident pre- 
vented the determination of the chlorine on that quantity. 
17’256 grains, ignited with oxide of copper, gave 6*002 of water, indicating 4*05 per 
cent, of hydrogen. The residue was treated with nitric acid and nitrate of silver, and 
gave 12*889 of chloride of silver, equivalent to 18*26 of chlorine in 100. 
The experimental results are therefore 
Platinum . . . 
I. 
50*94 
II. 
50*34 
Chlorine . . . 
18*03 
18*26 
Hydrogen . . 
3*91 
4*05 
Nitrogen . . . 
14*69 
| 27 35 
Oxygen .... 
12*43 
100*00 
100*00 
