226 ESSA\S aNp_OBSERVATIONS_ 
caufe it already contained a cauttic alkali, 
for which it has a fuperior attraction. — 
I alfo rendered the volatile alkali cau- 
ftic, in order to examine what change it 
fuffered in the operation, and obtained an 
exceedingly volatile and acrid {pirit, which 
neither effervefced with acids, nor altered 
in the leaft the tranfparency of lime wa- 
ter; and, altho’ very ftrong, was lighter 
than water, and floated upon it like fpirit 
of wine. ; 
I next inquired into the truth of the 
fifth propofiuon, in the following man- 
ner. rt 
Two drams of Epfom falt were diffol- 
ved in a fmall quantity of water, and. 
thrown into two ounces of the cauttic ley; : 
the mixture initantly became thick, like a 
decoction of ftarch or barley, by the mog~ 
nefia, which was precipitated. I then add- 
ed fpirit of vitriol by degrees, until the 
mixture became perfectly ‘clear, ‘or the 
whole of the magnefia was again difolved ; ~ 
which hippened without any effervefcence 
or emiflion of air. 4 
HAatr 
