Oh CamplMf and the Camphoric Add, v 99 



Afeeond Procefs. 



Tlie foregoing operation may be condufted in another manner, namely by reducing the 

 two fubftances into a very fine powder, and introducing them ipto the retort. 



This method, though apparently more fpeedy, is in faft much lefs fo than the forego- 

 ing ; for the camphor rifes with much more facility, and the diftillation mud be oftener 

 repeated, which renders the operation much more tedious. 



Third Procefs. 



Alumine is likewife a medium which may be ufed with advantage. 



The alumine is prepared by means of ammoniac ; and it is afterwards waflied with dif- 

 tilled water, in order to obtain it as pure as poflible. It is then (lightly dried. 



Take two parts of alumine, or three, when it is wetted, to one part of camphor. The 

 camphor is firft to be pulverized, and the alumine afterwards added. The whole may be 

 formed into a pafte with water, or otherwife the pulverulent mixture is to be introduced 

 into the retort ; but I prefer the firft method, as I have already remarked. A receiver 

 containing fome diftilled water is then to be adjufted. The pneumatic apparatus may alfo 

 be adapted. Diftillation is then to be made by a gentle heat. 



By either of thefe procefles a volatile oil of a golden yellow colour comes over into the 

 receiver, and floats at the furface of the water. We ftiall proceed to defcribe its cha- 

 rafters. 



The diftilled water placed in the receiver is not only neceflary to prevent the lofs of 

 oil, which would attach itfelf to the interior furface, but likewife to abforb a fmall portion 

 of camphoric acid which is formed during the operation. In faft this water is very aro- 

 matic and penetrating : it reddens the tinfture of turnfol, and effervefces with the alka- 

 line carbonates. The acid itfelf, at the end of a certain time, cryftallizes on the fides of 

 the veflel. 



After the operation is completed, the matter remaining in the retort is of a very deep 

 black colour. 



Four ounces of camphor, or 122,284 grammes, may produce 

 Volatile oil 12 gros, or 45,856 grammes; 

 Carbone 8 gros, or 30,571 grammes; 

 Carbonated hydrogen gas ; carbonic acid ; camphoric acid, each in proportions which I 

 have not been able to determine, on account of the volatility of the camphor. 



SECTION III. 



An Examination of the Oil obtained from Camphor in the foregoing Experiments. 



THE oils obtained by the different procefles have no difference in their qualities. 



This oil has an acrid burning tafte, and leaves a perception of coolnefs on the tongue. 

 Its fmell is aromatic, refembling that of thyme or rofemary. Its colour golden yellow. 

 When expofed to the open air it partly evaporates, and there remains a brown thick yel- 

 low matter of a very fharp tafte, but fomewhat more bitter, which at length entirely eva- 

 porates. 



O 2 With 



