4 Some Experiments on the Distillation 



similar properties with some varieties of pit-coal, in so far 

 as it cakes or welds in distillation. (See Phil. Mag. vol. 

 xxxii.) 



Experiment III. 

 White Silk Stuff, 200 grains. — These were distilled with 

 a violent discharge of bituminous flame and smoke. The 

 residuum was formed into a caked coal of a dense compact 

 structure; cellular, though not in the least brittle. The 

 colour was iron-gray, with a faint shade of copper. When 

 struck, it was sonorous in a great degree. — It weighed 62 

 grains. Loss in distillation 138 grains. 



Component parts : Volatile matter 69 

 Oxide of carbon 31 



100 parts. 



Experiment IV. 

 Pure White Wool, 180 grains. — After being distilled, 

 there was found a residuum coal of a dark shining gray 

 colour, welded, or rather caked into one mass, adhering in 

 part to the sides of the retort. — It was found to weigh 43 

 grains. Loss in distillation 137 grains. 



Component parts : Volatile matter 76* 1 1 

 Oxide of carbon 23-89 



100 parts. 



Experiment V. 

 Rice, very clean, 240 grains. — This substance distilled 

 with a good deal of flame. The result was found to be a 

 dense coal that had entered completely into fusion, and 

 possessed no remains of the original grains of rice.-^-It now 

 weighed 42 grains. Loss by distillation 198 grains. 

 Component parts : Volatile matter 82*5 

 Oxide of carbon 1 7*3 



100 parts. 



Experiment VI. 

 Barley, well dried, 200 grains. — This flamed violently, 

 *nd burnt like coal or fat wood. The result was a firmly 



welded 



