Analysis of AnilergrU. 91 



Exp. II. The odour developed during its volatilization, 

 having made me suspect the presence of an acid analooous 

 to that of balsams, aii experiment was made tp asc;,'rtaiu 



it. 



A bit of ambergris was placed in a porcelain capsule co- 

 vered by a bell, in which was suspended a paper tinged wilij 

 turnsole. The apparatus being placed on a sand-bath, th-e 

 temperature was raised to the degree necessary to volatiliza 

 the ainbergris : the paper speedily assumed a red colour. 

 Nothing was now necessary but to discover the nature of 

 this acid ; and w ith this view Scheele's process for extract- 

 ing acid of benjamin was employed. 



The product was examined, and left no doubt in rep-ard 

 lo its analog)'. "^ 



Bxp. III. The analysis with the retort added nothino- to 

 the knowledge already acquired in regard to the nature of 

 ambergris. 



A gentle temperature makesit fuse : in a more elevated one 

 It is decomposed, and a whitish acid liquor and a light oil 

 soluble in part in alcohol, which gives it a yellow colour, 

 pass over into the receiver. There remains in the retort a 

 light and veiy voluminous charcoal. 



. Exp. IV. Ambergris floats on water, and does not suffer 

 Itself to be penetrated by that liquid cold ; it acquires nei- 

 ther odour nor savour. Boiling water produces no alteration 

 on it. Atthat degree the ambergris dissolves and appears 

 tinder the form of a brownish oily liquid : a small quantity 

 of a black matter insoluble in alcohol is separated. The 

 fiUered liquor had neither odour nor colour, and only a slight 

 bitter savour. 



It is only in the ratio of the temperature, then, that am- 

 bergris dissolves, since in proportion as it is lowered it is 

 found to have the same properties. 



Exp. V. Acids in general have vciy little action on am- 

 bergris. It has not yet been possible by the aid of these 

 agents to discover the constituent parts of this compound. 



Weakened sulphuric acid makes it experience no change. 

 If concentrated, it lays bare little of the oxide of carbon." 



The same phaenomena arc exhibited by the muriatic and 

 oxygenated muriatic acids. 



Nitric acid raised to 18 degrees, and distilled from off 

 that substance, in a pneumatic apparatus, gives for result 

 nitrous gas, carbonic acid, and azotic gas. 



The latter arises, no doubt, from the decomposition of 

 *ome animal matters accidentally mixed with the ambergris. 



as 



