242 Dr. Eajon on the Ufe of Acids , ifc. 
a fubftance only foluble, in a very large quan¬ 
tity of water This felenitic matter, adhering 
to the threads of the cloth, will injure it, and 
make it feel hard to the touch, and probably 
is the reafon, why fome linens wear fo badly. 
When the muriatic acid is ufed, no felenite is 
formed. Whatever quantity of -earthy matter is 
difiolved by it, is eafily wafhed out by pure foft 
water, and the cloth having a foft filky feel 
feems to ftrengthen this conjefture. 
As the muriatic acid is now fold at three-pence 
per pound, and the common vitriolic acid at 
four-pence halfpenny, and as the muriatic acid 
will, in proportion, acidulate a larger quantity 
of water than the vitriolic, befides the great 
probability of its anfwering better in whitening 
of cloth, the bleachers in this part of the world 
would do well to give it a fair trial. 
Conjectural 
