STRONTITES. 
139 
(N. B. Dr. Hope discovered that barytes can also be crystallized in 
the fame manner.) 
7. Sulphuric acid forms with strontités a compound more difficultly 
soluble than gypsum. Four ounces of distilled water, boiling, dis 
folved only one-half grain. The solution was rendered turbid by 
carbonat of potaſh, by barytic water, and by muriat of barytes. 
Sulphuric acid diffolves the sulphat, and dilution makes it separate 
again. 
8. Nitric acid diluted diffolves it totally, but does not act on it 
when not diluted. It rather precipitates a nitrat previoufly formed. 
The solution easily yields crystals, which are octohedral, or formed 
of two four-sided pyramids joined by their basis. One ounce of 
water, at 60°, diffolves one ounce of these crystals; and at 2129, 
one ounce seven drachms fourteen grains. In dry air, a part of 
their water is evaporated from them. In very moist air they de 
liquesce. They deflagrate with combustibles, and give a bright red 
flame or light. Or if they be exposed to heat alone, they lose the 
acid, and the pure or caustic earth remains. 
9. Muriatic acid muſt also be diluted to diffolve strontites. And 
the solution givés long slender six-sided crystals, often disposed in a 
radiated form. (N. B. By this mode of crystallizing, this earth is 
distinguifhable from others. By putting a little of the muriat on a 
plate of glaſs, it will evaporate and crystallize. The muriat of barytes 
crystallizes into plates which are much less soluble in water.) These 
crystals are not pulverised by the air, but in extremely damp air 
ſhew a tendency to deliquesce. One ounce of distilled water, at 60°, 
difsolves one ounce four drachms one scruple of them. One ounce 
of water kept boiling, diffolves four ounces, or more. They contain 
42 per cent. of water, and undergo the watery fusion. But the acid 
is not easily separated by heat. The muriatic acid may, however, 
be expelled from the strontites, by the heat of a blow-pipe applied to 
it in a platina ſpoon. 
S 2