[ 28 ] 
known laws of chymical affinity. So that by this long maceration 
(as he calls it) no advantage whatfoever is gained... However, Mr. 
CLARKe’s falt is undoubtedly a valuable preparation for the pur- 
pofe of bleaching, and may be obtained in a-fpace of time in- 
comparably fhorter than he requires, 
Tue neutral falts contained in the folution of Mr. Crarke’s 
refined afh do not proceed from any error in his procefs, but 
from the bad quality of the afhes he employs. 
Common Irish WEED ASHES. 
I OBTAINED a parcel of thefe afhes from Mr. CLARKE ; it was 
of a loofe texture, dark grey colour and falt tafte, mixed with 
charcoal, brick duft and other impurities. I chofe the cleaneft, 
and fitted it. One ounce of it loft by gentle drying 47 grains, 
and in a red heat 72 grains more. 
TweLtve ounces of the undried afhes being lixiviated, left a 
refiduum, which when dried weighed 4214 grains; the folution 
was reddifh, replete with extractive matter; it afforded a large 
quantity of digeftive falt, and fome tartar vitriolate, and very 
little alkali, 
Two ounces of the fame afhes being gently heated to a flight 
degree of rednefs loft 186 grains of their weight. One ounce 
of this calcined afh being boiled in fix ounces of water left a 
refiduum of 344 grains, and confequently contained 136 grains 
of faline matter; but of this faline matter only 22,4 grains were 
pure alkali, for the folution precipitated only 15,5 grains of earth 
of 
