OF SEA-WATER. 209 
produced by the mutual decomposition of sulphate of soda and 
muriate of lime. But it is also possible, that this decomposi- 
tion might not be complete. I had formerly found, indeed, 
that when a liquor containing these two salts is evaporated, 
their decomposition is not entirely effected *; it seemed pos- 
sible, therefore, that portions of both might remain undecom- 
posed in Lavoisier’s process; the alcohol applied to the solid 
matter would remove the muriate of lime, and thus the sul- 
phate of soda would remain. To elucidate the whole subject, 
therefore, it seemed. best to repeat LavoisiEr’s analysis as he 
had performed it, and ascertain the actual results, 
A. Four pints of sea-water of the Frith of Forth, taken up 
near Leith, at a distance from any fresh water, were evapora- 
ted by the heat of a sand-bath ; the evaporation being continu- 
ed until a pellicle of salt formed on the boiling liquor. A pre- 
cipitate subsided during the boiling, which being washed, 
weighed when dry 25 grains. 
B. The liquor was evaporated to dryness, and the saline mass 
was dried thoroughly by a continued heat of about 150° ; it 
weighed 1025 grains. To separate the salts composing it, it 
was submitted to the action of alcohol. About 4 ounces of alco- 
hol of the specific gravity of 840 were poured upon it.in a 
bottle, and allowed to remain over it for 12 hours, being occa- 
sionally agitated; and when poured off an ounce of the same 
alcohol was added, and after frequent agitation, and being kept 
_ oyer it for some hours, was poured off, and added to “ithe for- 
THER hysy anys t: gris cil an 
C. The. residuum, aM risibgs asieiaia 890 tininisyaid 96 
grains had mreraline been abstracted, consisting maa of earthy, 
mutiates. faliiues it’ Indoeauspiloh 
Vou. VILL P. L puri: d ; D. The 
* Transactions, Vol. vii p. 475. 
