Are they of the same kind as the metallic salts?
MRS. B.
Yes; they are very analogous in their nature, although different in many of their properties.
A methodical nomenclature, similar to that of the acids, has been adopted for the compound salts. Each individual salt derives its name from its constituent parts, so that every name implies a knowledge of the composition of the salt.
The three alkalies, the alkaline earths, and the metals, are called salifiable bases or radicals; and the acids, salifying principles. The name of each salt is composed both of that of the acid and the salifiable base; and it terminates in at or it, according to the degree of the oxygenation of the acid. Thus, for instance, all those salts which are formed by the combination of the sulphuric acid with any of the salifiable bases are called sulphats, and the name of the radical is added for the specific distinction of the salt; if it be potash, it will compose a sulphat of potash; if ammonia, sulphat of ammonia, &c.
EMILY.
The crystals which we obtained from the combination of iron and sulphuric acid were therefore sulphat of iron?
MRS. B.
Precisely; and those which we prepared by dissolving copper in nitric acid, nitrat of copper, and so on.—But this is not all; if the salt be formed by that class of acids which ends in ous, (which you know indicates a less degree of oxygenation,) the termination of the name of the salt will be in it, as sulphit of potash, sulphit of ammonia, &c.
EMILY.