210

PROOFS OF THE PROPERTIES OF ZIRCON.

SECT. II.

EXPERIMENTAL PROOFS

OF

THE PROPERTIES OF ZIRCON.

Experiment I.

Sulphuric acid and zircon unite readily.

Introduce zircon, gradually, into diluted sulphuric acid,until it dissolves no more when boiling hot. The salt which re-sults from this combination is white, insoluble in water, andwithout any sensible taste. Heat decomposes it and leaves thezircon pure. It is not affected by acids, but alcalies and earthsdecompose it. Charcoal converts it, in a high temperature, intoa sulphuret, which is soluble in water, and affords by evaporationcrystals of hidro-sulphuret of zircon.

Experiment II.

Comlination of nitric acid with zircon.

This combination may be effected in a similar manner to thelast. It is impossible, however, to saturate the nitric acid w r iththis earth, so as to destroy its acid properties, for the nitrate ofzircon always changes the blue infusions of vegetables in thesame manner as acids.