AND WITH CARBON; AND OF THE NITRATS AND
CARBONATS. 100

Nitrogen susceptible of various Degrees of Acidification. --Of the
Nitric Acid. --Its Nature and Composition discovered by
Mr. Cavendish. --Obtained from Nitrat of Potash. --Aqua Fortis.
--Nitric Acid may be converted into Nitrous Acid. --Nitric Oxyd Gas.
--Its Conversion into Nitrous Acid Gas. --Used as an Eudiometrical
Test. --Gaseous Oxyd of Nitrogen, or exhilarating Gas, obtained from
Nitrat of Ammonia. --Its singular Effects on being respired.
--Nitrats. --Of Nitrat of Potash, Nitre or Saltpetre. --Of
Gunpowder. --Causes of Detonation. --Decomposition of Nitre.
--Deflagration. --Nitrat of Ammonia. --Nitrat of Silver. --Of the
Carbonic Acid. --Formed by the Combustion of Carbon. --Constitutes a
component Part of the Atmosphere. --Exhaled in some Caverns.
--Grotto del Cane. --Great Weight of this Gas. --Produced from
calcareous Stones by Sulphuric Acid. --Deleterious Effects of this
Gas when respired. --Sources which keep up a Supply of this Gas in
the Atmosphere. --Its Effects on Vegetation. --Of the Carbonats of
Lime; Marble, Chalk, Shells, Spars, and calcareous Stones.

CONVERSATION XIX.

ON THE BORACIC, FLUORIC, MURIATIC, AND OXYGENATED MURIATIC ACIDS;
AND ON MURIATS. 131

On the Boracic Acid. --Its Decomposition by Sir H. Davy. --Its Basis
Boracium. --Its Recomposition. --Its Uses in the Arts. --Borax or
Borat of Soda. --Of the Fluoric Acid. --Obtained from Fluor;
corrodes Siliceous Earth; its supposed Composition. --Fluorine; its
supposed Basis. --Of the Muriatic Acid. --Obtained from Muriats.
--Its gaseous Form. --Is absorbable by Water. --Its Decomposition.
--Is susceptible of a stronger Degree of Oxygenation. --Oxygenated
Muriatic Acid. --Its gaseous Form and other Properties. --Combustion
of Bodies in this Gas. --It dissolves Gold. --Composition of Aqua
Regia. --Oxygenated Muriatic Acid destroys all Colours. --Sir H.
Davy's Theory of the Nature of Muriatic and Oxymuriatic Acid.
--Chlorine. --Used for Bleaching and for Fumigations. --Its
offensive Smell, &c. --Muriats. --Muriat of Soda, or common Salt.
--Muriat of Ammonia. --Oxygenated Muriat of Potash. --Detonates with
Sulphur, Phosphorus, &c. --Experiment of burning Phosphorus under
Water by means of this Salt and of Sulphuric Acid.

CONVERSATION XX.

ON THE NATURE AND COMPOSITIO