MINERALOGY, 
H7 
SECT. CXL. 
Volatile alkali, Akali miner ale volatile. 
This perfectly refembles that fait which 
is extraAed from animals and vegetables, 
under the name of alcali volatile,, or fat 
urinofum,, and is commonly confidered as 
not belonging to the mineral kingdom ; 
but hiTce it is difcoyered not only in moft 
part of the clays, but likewife in the fubli- 
mations at Solfatara near Naples, it cannot 
poHibly be quite excluded from the mine- 
ral kingdom. 
Its principal qualities are that, 
a. In the fire it rifes in forma ficca^ and 
volatilifes in the air, in form of corrofive 
vapours, which are offenfive to the eyes 
and nofe. 
h. It precipitates the folution of the mer- 
curial fublimate into a white powder. 
c. It alfo precipitates gold out of aqtia 
regia,, and detonates with it, becaufe 
It has a reaftion in regard to the acids,’ 
though not fo ftrongly as other alcalies. 
e. It tinges the folution of copper blue, 
and diiTolves this metal afreih, if a great 
quantity is added. 
/. It deflagrates v/ith nitre, w^hich proves 
that it contains a phlogilion. 
It is never found pure, but 
SEC T. CXLL 
A, Mixed with 
I. Salts, Alcali miner ale volatile falihus 
mix turn. 
La a. With 
