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PROPERTIES OP muriatic acid.

Class I. ...ACIDS WHOSE BASES ARE UNKNOWN, ORUNDECOMPOSABLE ACIDS.

MimiATIC A€I]D.

PART LXXIV.

IViURIATIC acid exists in the gazeous state, and forms mu-riatic acid gas, which has been considered already, vol. I. p. 32 /.The basis of this acid is unknown.

PROPERTIES OF MURIATIC ACID.

Liquid muriatic acid, or water impregnated with muriatic acidgas, is a colourless, very odorous, and pungent fluid. It emitscopious white fumes in contact with moist atmospheric air, these, fumes are muriatic acid gas that .escapes from it, and condensesagain by combining with the humidity of the air. If a wide-mouthed bottle containing strong muriatic acid be opened, andthe hand brought near its orifice, a sensible warmth is perceiv-ed, which arises from the combination of the acid gas with thewater of the atmosphere. Liquid muriatic acid is unalterable by