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PROOFS OF THE PROPERTIES OF MERCURY.

Experiment VII.

Preparation of sulphates of mercury.

Let two parts of mercury be boiled in a retort, with three ofconcentrated sulphuric acid, interrupt the operation as soon asthe mercury has been converted into a white mass. After refri-geration decant the fluid from this mass, and wash it in a littlecold distilled water. This saline compound is a super-sulphateof mercury.

If this super-sulphate of mercury be repeatedly washed in colddistilled water, until the water which is decanted ceases to red-den litmus paper, there remains behind a white mass, which is asulphate of mercury.

Experiment VIII.

Mercury is not acted on ly muriatic ocid alone, lut may lecomlined ivit’h. it ly doul-le affinity.

Let equal parts of dry sulphate of mercury, and dry muriateof soda, be accurately mingled by trituration in a stone mortar;put the mass into a glass retort, and heat it on a sand-bath. Awhite salt wifi sublime in the shoulder of the retort, which iscommonly called corrosive sullimate of mercury.

Rationale. ..In this process the sulphuric acid of the oxidunites to the soda of the common salt, and the muriatic acid ofthe latter combines with the mercurial oxid, and forms a newcompound.

Experiment IX.

Preparation of mild muriate of mercury.

If four parts of corrosive muriate of mercury be well mingledby trituration with three ot fluid mercury, they assume the form