116 
Book II. 
Affinities, 
ACIDS. 
quantities of nitric acid, his products were very diffe 
rent. Thus with 200 grains of nitric acid he got 30 
grains of oxalic acid; with 300 grains of nitric acid he 
obtained only 15 grains of the oxalic acid; and with 
600 grains of nitric acid no vestige appeared of the 
oxalic acid. On distilling the products of these experi 
ments, especially of the last, he obtained vinegar mixed 
with nitric acid. The experiments of Westrum have 
been confirmed by Fourcroy and Vauquelin; who, by 
treating citric acid with a great quantity of nitric acid, 
converted it into oxalic and acetous acids. The pro 
portion of the first was much smaller than that of the 
second. 
From these experiments it is evident that its compo 
nent parts are oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon; but the 
proportions of them have not been ascertained. 
Its affinities are as follows: 
Lime, 
Barytes, 
Strontian, 
Magnesia, 
Potass, 
Soda, 
Ammonia, 
Alumina, 
Zirconia. 
The use of this acid, as a seasoner of food, and in 
preparing an agreeable cooling drink called lemonade, is 
well known.