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ACIDIFEROUS ALKALINE MINERALS. Undeh tins head are included such minerals as consist chiefly of an alkali united with an acid ; but several of them are very impure in their native state. NITRATE OF POTASH. Nitre, Naturlischer Salpeter, W. Potasse Nitratee, IL Prismatic Nitre Salt, M. Contains potash 46'4C, nitric acid 53-54. p . , , Sp. Gr. 1-9—2-0. Primary form a rhombic prism of about 60° and 120°. Oc curs in crusts, and in capillary crystals, of which the forms are « .s whl.i.h or yellow , » w whfn lhne > and cooling to the taste: it deflagrates stances. ^ ° ° l C ° a1, a ” d detonates with combustible sub- In Hummr S v°P P ° r - nea I l1 !* 8U I filCe of tl,e earth * on 0,(1 " alls . &c. of Smin it’-« f rS ' a ’i ia ’ and in niaj1 y of the plains Vi 1S found * n considerable quantities. It is also com- . in India, especially on a large plain near Agra in Bengal, lie mountainous^regions of Kentucky, which are calcareous and In Sm ri av f rns ’ a ^ u t0 the lllliabitants of North America. I, 'J 1C r a ; thc P lai , ns bordering the sea near Lima are tent suffir l / r lS n °! h ? vevcr P rod >‘ccd naturally to an ex- fX nrl i -« S - n ul ‘ lphed uscs ; and is therefore princi- vego tabIe siibstances! thC decom I ,osition < )f aid » lal aad assi!!in^r 1 i S l Cmi)l0yed ‘ n ™ edicine > the arts, and in metallurgy for assisting the processes of oxidating and smelting ; but its princi- L: l , I] \ ie ^ _ use > is in manufacture of gunpowder, idr c i tnat imported from Egypt is most esteemed, as it contains •e east calcareous matter. Gunpowder consists of seventy-six Parts of nitre, nine of sulphur, and fifteen of light charcoal.