344 ESSAYS and OBSERVATIO>^^ 



more, it will be found contrary to expe- 

 rience. If any fait is difTolved in water, 

 and if fpirit of wine, a liquor fpecifically 

 lighter than water, is added to the folu- 

 tion, no precipitation will enfue. 



When filver is diiTolved in good aqua 

 fortisy the folution may be diluted with 

 fair water to any degree you pleafe j yet 

 the particles of filver continue fufpended 

 in the liquor, though rendered fpecifically 

 lighter; Whereas, when the thinned and 

 lighteft parts of the folvent are carried 

 oflPby evaporation, the filver falls down. 

 In the fame manner, a folution of quick- 

 filver in aqua fonis, a folution of gold in 

 aqua regia, of lead in fpirit of vinegar, 

 and fome other folutions of metallic fub- 

 (lances, may be diluted with fimple wa- 

 ter without precipitation. Further, fome- 

 tiraes a liquor fpecifically heavier than the 

 folvent is added to the folution, whereby 

 the fpecific gravity of the compound li- 

 quor is increafed ; yet the particles of the 

 difiTolved body are no longer fufpended in 

 it, but fall to the bottom, quite contrary to 

 this hypothefis. When rofin of jalap is 



difTolved 



