PROPERTIES OF FLUORIC ACID.

267

FLUORIC ACID.

PART LXXVI.

, JL'HIS is another acid of which the composition is unknown.It exists in a gazeous state and forms tiuoric acid gas, (seeVol. I. page 343.) United to water it constitutes liquid fluoricacid.

PROPERTIES OF FLUORIC ACID.

The distinguishing property of fluoric acid is, its power of dis-solving and volatilizing silex. Its odour resembles muriatic acid.On being exposed to a moist atmospheric air, it emits whitefumes. Its action upon all the inflammable substances is veryfeeble; it does not afford oxigen to them. It has no actionupon most of the metals, but it dissolves many of their oxids.

METHOD OF OBTAINING FLUORIC ACID.

Put one part of finely pulverized fluate of lime into a leaden ortin retort, and pour upon it two parts and a half of sulphuricacid. Lute the retort to a receiver of the same metal, contain-