Note 29 — MINERALS. (continued 3)
Reading edition
Muriatic Acid is a gas formed by the combination of oxygen (21) with some base that is not yet known. It is an invisible and elastic fluid, which, in mechanical properties, resembles common air, and has a pungent and very peculiar smell. This gas unites with alkalies (42), earths (31), and the oxides (21) of metals; and with them forms the compounds called muriats, of which common salt, or muriat of soda (202), is one of the principal. The liquid muriatic acid, or muriatic acid gas combined with water, is frequently denominated spirit of salt (202).