350 



OS ACETIC ACID AND ACETATES. 



bulk a fluid, which makes a very pleasant vinegar by mix- 

 ing it with water. 



kad. 



Fyroacetic To procure a sufficient quantity of pyroacetic spirit for 



spirit procured comparing it with real acetic ether, I distilled ten pounds of 



in quantity r _ a 



from acetate of acetate of lead. 1 he apparatus cons(stcd of an earthen 



retort, to which was luted a tubulated matrass, furnished 

 with a tube reaching to the bottom of a very long proof 

 phial, which was surrounded with a mixture of ice and 

 muriate of soda. A second tube, straight and open at each 

 end, allowed me to draw off the .various liquid products 

 collected in the matrass during the process. These I sepa- 

 rated into two nearly equal portions, about 18 or 20 

 ounces each. A great deal of gas was evolved, which had 

 a strong smell ; but from which, when it came into the cold 

 proof phial, was condensed a perfectly clear and colourless 

 liquid, weighing about 3 ounces. I redistilled these pro- 

 ducts, dividing the first two again. 

 The following are the results. 



Tabulated re- 



Specific 

 gravity. 



Proportion 

 of acidity. 



Ethereous 

 liquor. 



Properties of 

 file spirit. 



This operation afforded me a sufficient quantity of pyro- 

 acetic spirit, to be able to examine its properties. 



It is perfectly colourless and limpid. Its taste is at first 

 acid and burning; but afterward becomes cool, and in some 

 sort urinous. It has the generic smell of volatile oils, without 

 our being able to say of which in particular. Perhaps it 

 comes near that of peppermint mingled with bitter almonds. 

 The specific gravity of that condensed by cold at the ex- 

 tremity of the apparatus was, as we have seen, 0-7929 ** 



* This, or the number in the table, must be an errour of the press. C. 



tremity 



