UPON THE SULPHATE OF LEAD. 
271 
Acetate of Ammonia. — This salt also dissolves to some 
extent the sulphate of lead, but not so readily as either of 
the above salts. If the solution be boiled and evaporated 
to dryness, crystals of sulphate of ammonia are obtained, 
and an uncrystallizable salt of lead, probably an acetate of 
lead and ammonia ; from the difficulty of separating the 
sulphate of ammonia from it, it is impossible to pronounce 
positively whether it is a double salt or simply an acetate 
of lead. We see in this reaction the existence of a soluble 
salt of lead and the sulphate of ammonia simultaneously in 
the same solution, without a precipitate being formed. 
Oxalate of Ammonia — Dissolves but slightly the sul- 
phate of lead, owing, no doubt, to the impossibility^ form- 
ing a double salt ; but it will nevertheless decompose largely, 
the sulphate furnishing the oxalate of lead. , 
Muriate of Ammonia, if boiled with the sulphate of 
lead, will decompose it instantaneously, furnishing the chlo- 
ride of lead and sulphate of ammonia. 
The Nitrate of Ammonia does the same, forming nitrate 
of lead and sulphate of ammonia. 
Carbonate and Succinate of Ammonia produce similar 
effects. 
The action of most of the corresponding salts of potash 
and soda was examined, and with very similar results. The. 
fact is, it would appear that those alkaline salts which dis- 
solve the sulphate of lead, decompose it, without reference 
to the time occupied in the solution, as in the case of car- 
bonate of ammonia, which decomposes the sulphate at the 
very instant of its solution ; and it is impossible to detect at 
any one time other than a trace of lead in solution, whereas 
the quantity of sulphuric acid is constantly increasing. 
The explanation is clear: the sulphate of lead is a salt 
with a strong acid and feeble base ; the alkaline salts 
used contain feebler acids and stronger bases ; they dis- 
solve the sulphate, thus affording an opportunity for the 
acids and bases to act upon one another, under favorable 
