3 1 2 lExtracts fi-om the Analyses of M. Klaproth, 



diately dissolved it. The liquor was clear and of a dark 

 brown colour, but it suffered to be precipitated at the same 

 time a yellowish white deposit, composed of sulphate of 

 lime, which when dried weighed 39 grains. 



M. Klaproth tried to effect several combinations with the 

 solution of this extract. 



1st, It remained clear, and experienced no change of 

 <tolour when mixed with solutions of animal glue, alkaline 

 salts, alum, nitrate of lime, sulphate of copper, and sul- 

 phate of iron recently crystallized. 



2d, But it was decon^iposed by barj'tes water. Solutions 

 of muriate of barytes and zinc, of nitrate of silver and of 

 fiierc4ry, of acetite of lead, of hyper-oxidated muriate of 

 iron, &c. produced in it flaky deposits of a light brown 

 >vood colour; and the supernatant liquor became almost 

 always colourless. 



Exp. IV. The combustible part of peat seemed to dis- 

 solve almost entirely when put to digest in a highly con- 

 centrated alkaline ley. When diluted with from 12 to 

 ?6 parts of water and filtered, the water stiU retained a 

 dark brown colour, inclining to black. When saturated 

 vyith the sulphuric or nitric acid, it becomes brightened, 

 and assumes a reddish brown colour. It precipitates by 

 heat a voluminous brown deposit, which, when collected 

 by the filter and washed, dries by heat into large, black, 

 very brilliant grains, and which, when afterwards roasted 

 \n a capsule, leaves yellow ashes. 



Eocp. V. Two ounces of oil, obtained by the distillation 

 of a larger quantity of peat earth, rectified in a retort with 

 a gentle heat, in a sand bath, and of which \\ ounce was, 

 distilled, left a blackish gray residuum, which, on cooling, 

 acquired the consistence of wax. The distilled oil was of 

 a honey yellow colour, and became fixed in foliated cry- 

 staU', The most fluid of the oily part of these crystals, 

 imbibed by blotting paper, over which they had been 

 spread, left them deposited there in scales or small leaves, 

 easy to be separated, brilliant, and of a light browp colour. 



When this oil is lieated on a moderate charcoal fire, un- 

 til the aqueous moisture is in a great measure evaporated, 

 it acquires, by cooling, the consistence of soft cerat. In 

 this state it has a great resemblance to the maltha^ or c/re- 

 des-saes of Siberia *. 

 • ' Oil 



♦ The cire-dei-iaes, or maltha, is brought from the lake Baikal, on 

 the banks of which it is extracted, near Bargusin. M. Klaproth ob- 

 lerves, that the classification of this natural wax among tlie bituminous 

 5"'--. ■■ . • . . . ... • . .. . , subitaucci 



