Ores of Mercury

Native Mercury, Hg.—G = 13.5-13.6. Color, silver-white. Is liquid at all ordinary temperatures. Heated in an ignition tube is volatilized, the vapors condensing in the upper end of tube to small metallic globules of Hg. Before the Bp. on Ch. it is volatilized. Frequently contains Ag.

Cinnabar, HgS₂, Hg . 86, S . 14.—

H = 2.0-2.5, G = 8.0-8.2.

Color, scarlet-red to brick-red. Lustre, non-metallic. When pulverized yields a powder of vermilion-red color. Heated in an ignition tube it volatilizes, yielding a black sublimate, which by friction becomes red. Before the Bp. on Ch. it is wholly volatilized. Heated in an ignition tube with Na₂CO₃ metallic mercury sublimes, condensing in the upper portion of the tube in minute globules.