i3-2 Analysis of Anilergrb. 



were put into a platina crucible and exposed to a' gentl* 

 heat : the mixture fused without manifesting the presence. 

 of ammonia : by cooling, a brownish homogeneous mass 

 was obtained. 



One ounce of distilled water being poiu'ed over it dis- 

 solved a part. 'I'his liquor was exceedingly alkaline. 



The other portion not soluble remained lu^dcr a soft te- 

 /lacious form, whicli when warm adhered to the lingers. 



A larger quantity of water being added, the whole was 

 dissolved. 



Caustic potash triturated some time in a mortar with 

 ambergris does not facilitate its solution by water. 



Ammonia cold has no action on it, but with the help of 

 heat dissolves it. The mixture gradually becomes brown, 

 and by evaporation gives a glutinous sapon;iccous matter, 

 similar in every thing to that obtained by potash. 



£.r/j. VII. Fixed oils, such as that of colsa, olives, See, 

 dissolve it with the help of heat in a very little time : the 

 solution is yellow and transparent, and by evaporation be- 

 comes brown. 



Exp. VIII. Volatile oils also dissolve ambergris. Thosft 

 of turpentine, savin, and hyssop, do the same. With the 

 help of heat the solution takes place speedily. 



E\aporation gives a thick red magma which cannot be 

 entirely dried, which burns on coals, emitting a thick 

 smoke and an odour approaching that of ambergris. Al- 

 cohol dissolved this substance^and acq.ulrcd a golden vcUow 

 colour: it was preclpitatcxl from it by the help of heat. 



A complete solution cannot be obtained in volatile oiU 

 which are too okLeven with the assistance of lona; continued 

 heat. 



Exp. IX. Solution by ether is very speedy even without 

 heat. 



Exp. X. The solution of ambergris by alcohol is that 

 alone which can conduct to any certain results. The con- 

 stituent parts may be separated m such a manner, that by 

 uniting them a com-puund will be obtained the charaeter»i 

 of which approach near to those of the compound. 



One gros of ambergris being reduced to fine powder and 

 put into a phial, two ounces of rectified alcohol were poured 

 over it. Twenty -four hours' maceration were sufficient to 

 give to the alcohol a dark yellow colour. When the liquor 

 had been liltered a new (juantity of alcohol was added to the 

 widissolved pari, and the solution was facilitated by ele- 

 T.uing the temperature. When the wliole was dissolved, 



except 

 4 



