Distillation of Ardent Spirit. 273 
adequate to the end proposed. Filtration has 
been recommended, but the oil is so intimately 
mixed with the spirit that a considerable quantity 
will pass through the filter. The operation is also 
tedious, and some of the spirit evaporates during 
the process. Alkaline salts are frequently mixed 
with the spirit, previously to rectification, such as 
the carbonat of potash, but more frequently the 
carbonat of soda. They, however, are both liable 
to considerable objections, when unassisted by any 
other substance; for, although they combine with 
the oil, and, in some degree, prevent its rising in 
vapours, yet they communicate an urinaus flavour 
to the spirit which is highly injurious. Neutral 
salts, quick-lime, calcined bones, and chalk are 
equally liable to objection, as they do not effectually 
deprive the spirit of the oil which it holds in solu- 
tion, and an improper flavour is also contracted 
from them. 
The method which I have adopted, and which is 
generally attended with the most favourable result, 
is the following : 
The body of the still is constructed like the 
former, but the capital is so formed as to admit of a 
bent tube into the boiler, or rather into a vessel con- 
nected with the beak, and fixed in the boiler in 
such a manner as to ferm<a balneum, to be heated 
by the liquor in the stil From the top of this 
yessel an additional beak is continued, similar to 
VOL. V. hea 
