EMILY.
Are the perfect metals susceptible of being dissolved and converted into compound salts by acids?
MRS. B.
Gold is acted upon by only one acid, the oxygenated muriatic, a very remarkable acid, which, when in its most concentrated state, dissolves gold or any other metal, by burning them rapidly.
Gold can, it is true, be dissolved likewise by a mixture of two acids, commonly called aqua regia; but this mixed solvent derives that property from containing the peculiar acid which I have just mentioned. Platina is also acted upon by this acid only; silver is dissolved by nitric acid.
CAROLINE.
I think you said that some of the metals might be so strongly oxydated as to become acid?
MRS. B.
There are five metals, arsenic, molybdena, chrome, tungsten, and columbium, which are susceptible of combining with a sufficient quantity of oxygen to be converted into acids.
CAROLINE.