PROPERTIES OF BORACIC ACID.

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BORACIC ACID.

PART LXXV.

The composition of this acid is also unknown. It existsunited to soda in the salt called borax, or sur-saturated borate ofsoda. United to lime and magnesia, it forms the mineral calledborate of lime.

PROPERTIES OF BORACIC ACID.

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Boracic acid appears in brilliant, glittering, white, hexahedralscales, soft and unctuous to the touch. Its taste is bitterish,with a slight degree of acidity. It is soluble in alcohol which itcauses to burn, when set on fire, with a green flame surroundedwith a white one. It is of difficult solubility in cold water, butis easily dissolved in boiling water. When heated strongly'itfuses into glass. If heated with water it is carried up by theaqueous vapour. It has no action on combustible bodies.

METHODS OF OBTAINING BORACIC ACID.

J. Dissolve any quantity of sur-saturated borate of soda inboiling water, and add to this solution sulphuric acid, by a littleat a time, till the solution be rather more than saturated. Then