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NATURAL HISTORY OF BARYTES.

JB AM YTES 3

PART LXVI.

SECT. I.

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NATURAL HISTORY OF BARYTES.

JSaRYTES does not exist pure in nature. It is always foundin combination with sulphuric or carbonic acid. United withthe sulphuric acid, it forms the mineral called sulphate of larytes,or laroselenite. It is found in Staffordshire, Derbyshire, &c.When united to carbonic acid it is called cerated larytes, or car-l-onate of larytes, found at Anglezark, near Chorley in Lanca-shire. Both combinations are met with regularly crystallized andamorphous.

PROPERTIES OF BARYTES.

Pure barytes has a stronger affinity than any other body forsulphuric acid ; ,it turns blue tincture of cabbage green. It isentirely infusible by heat alone, but melts when mixed withvarious earths. Its specific gravity is 4.000. It changes quicklyin the air, swells, becomes soft, and falls into a white powderwith the acquisition of about one-fifth of its weight. This slak-ing is much more active and speedy than that of lime. It com-bines with phosphorus, which compound decomposes waterrapidly. It unites to sulphur by the dry and humid way. It has