35 
Book II. 
Division II. 
Properties. 
Decompo 
sition. 
History. 
SALTS. 
It is prepared by saturating phosphoric acid with 
potass, and evaporating the solution to the required 
consistency. 
This salt does not crystallize when evaporated suffi 
ciently: it assumes the form of a jelly; and if the eva 
poration be carried farther, it becomes dry altogether. 
Its specific gravity, when dry, is 2.8516 *. 
It is exceedingly soluble in water; and when dry 
readily attracts moisture from the atmosphere, and is 
converted into a viscid liquid. When heated, it first 
undergoes the watery fusion ; then allows its water of 
crystallization to evaporate, and is reduced to dryness. 
In a high temperature it melts into a transparent glass, 
which deliquesces again when exposed to the air. 
It is completely decomposed by the sulphuric, nitric, 
and muriatic acids; and by barytes, strontian, and lime. 
The following salts, according to Fourcroy, have the 
property of decomposing it : 
1. Sulphats of soda, strontian, lime, ammonia, magne 
sia, glucina, alumina, zirconia. 
2. Sulphites of barytes, lime, strontian, glucina. 
3. Nitrats of barytes, soda, strontian, lime, ammonia, 
magnesia, glucina, alumina, zirconia. 
4. Muriats of barytes, soda, strontian, lime, ammonia, 
magnesia, glucina, alumina, zirconia. 
5. Phosphites of lime, barytes. 
6. Fluats, borats, and carbonats of barytes, lime. 
Hitherto this salt has not been applied to any use. 
Sp. 6. Phosphat of Soda. 
THIS salt exists ready formed in urine, and was the 
* Hassenfratz, Ann. de Cbim. xxviii. 12.