4e 
BARTTES. 
Chap. II. 
Phosphuret of barytes may be formed by putting a 
Phosphuret. 
mixture of phosphorus and barytes into a glass tube 
close at one end, and heating the mixture by putting 
the tube upon burning coals. The combination takes 
place very rapidly. This phosphuret is of a dark brown 
colour, very brilliant and very fusible. When moistened, 
it exhales the odour of phosphurated hydrogen gas. 
When thrown into water, it is gradually decomposed, 
phosphurated hydrogen gas is emitted, which takes 
fire when it comes to the surface of the water, and 
the phosphorus is gradually converted into phosphoric 
acid *. 
Action on 
Barytes has no action on metals ; but it is capable of 
metallic 
combining with several of the metallic oxides, and 
bodies. 
forming with them compounds which have not hitherto 
been examined. 
Barytes does not combine with the alkalies. Its com 
ponent parts are unknown ; but it resembles the alkalies 
in so many of its properties, that one cannot help think 
ing that the composition of both is analogous. 
Its affinities, according to Bergman, observe the fol- Affinities, 
lowing order : 
Sulphuric acid, 
Oxalic, 
Succinic, 
Fluoric, 
Phosphoric, 
Mucous, 
Nitric, 
Muriatic, 
Suberic, 
F Fourcroy, i. 191. 
Dd3