348 ON THE CHANGE OF REFRANGIBILITY OF LIGHT.
of oxalic acid to a solution of nitrate of uranium, washing and drying the precipitate.—This salt was sensitive, but only in a low degree. However, the derived spectrum bore prismatic examination sufficiently to show three or four bright bands. The absorption of the medium was examined by spreading some of the powder on glass along with water and allowing it to dry. The layer was then examined by different methods. The salt exhibits three very intense absorption bands in the highly refrangible part of the spectrum. The positions of these bands, by measurement, were FQ'Sl G, FQ'58 Q, F0'85 0.
154 Phosphate of Peroxide of Uranium, prepared by precipitation from a solution of nitrate of uranium by adding a solution of common phosphate of soda.—This salt was sensitive, though not in a high degree. It was a good deal more sensitive than the oxalate, but I think not so much so as the hydrate of the peroxide. The derived spectrum consisted of bright bands as usual*.
155. Uranate of Potassa, prepared by dropping a solution of nitrate of uranium into a solution of caustic pot-ash, stopping long before the alkali was neutralized.—This salt was found to be insensible, both in its original state as a gelatinous hydrate, and in various stages of drying.
156. Uranate of Lime, prepared in a similar manner with lime-water.—This salt, which after drying is of a fine orange colour, was like the preceding found to be insensible. It seemed interesting to examine these two salts, because the former contains two elements (not counting oxygen) in common with canary glass, and the latter two elements in common with ydlow uranito. Yet the salts are insensible while the two other media, are so remarkably sensitive.
157. Solutions by means of Alkaline Carbonates.— It is known to chemists that alkaline carbonates, added in solution to a solution of nitrate of uranium, give yellow precipitates which are redissolved in an excess of the precipitant. The solutions thus obtained with the carbonates of potassa and soda, which were of a greenish yellow colour, were found to be totally insensible.
* See note C.