37^ 0« i^^ Analyfis of IV'tne, 



flame, according to the proportion employed. A fniall qiran- 

 tity always inflames ; a large one never, becaufe the water 

 which the liquor leaves is then fufficient to moiften the gun- 

 po^vder, and to fecure it from inflammation. 



Recourfe has been had to lalt of tartar (carbonate of pot- 

 aft) for trying the ftrength of fpirits. This alkali diflblves iu 

 ■water, but not in alcohol, fo that the latter floats on the folu- 

 tion which is formed. 



Thefe methods, more or lefs defetlilive, have rendered it 

 ncceirary to try other means capable of determining the 

 iirength of fpirit, by afcertaining the fpecilic gravitv. 



A drop of oil poured upon alcohol fixes itielf on the fur- 

 face, or is precipitated to the bottom, according to the de- 

 gree of the Iirength of the liquor. This method was pro- 

 pofed, and adopted by the Spanilh government in 1770: 

 it formed the object of a regulation ; but it is liable to error, 

 iince the eft'eft depends on the height of the fall, the gravity 

 of the oil, the fize of the drop, the temperature of the atmo- 

 fphere, the dimenfions of the vefl'els, &c. 



In 1772 this important obj eft was refumed by two able 

 philofophers, Borie and Poujei;, of Cette, who made known 

 to the dillillers of Languedoc a new areometer, which they 

 adopted. Tliey applied to it a thermometer, the diflerent 

 degrees of which indicate at every inflant the correftions 

 that ought to be made iu the graduation of the areometer, in 

 confcquence of the very variable temperature of the atmo- 

 fpherc. 



By the help of this areometer, not only may the degree 

 of ftrength be afcertaincd, but the fpirit may be carried to 

 any point required ; for this purpolc diflerent weights are 

 provided. The heavieit is marked Dutch proof, the lighted 

 three- fivenihs : if the weight marked Dutch proof be there- 

 fore fcrewed to the lower extremity of the (hank, and if the 

 jnftrument be immerfcd in li(]uor of thrre-Je-venths, it will 

 link a great deal too much ; but it may be brought back to 

 Dutch proof by adding four-fcvenths of water. 



On the other hand, if the weight //'?>r-/t'i'/'»//?'5 be fcrewed 

 to the (hank, and it the areometer be then iinmerfed in 

 liquor Dutch proof, it will rile above the lalt term, and may 

 be eaflly brought back to that degree by adding flronger al- 

 cohol. 



When fpirit is diftilled for the purpofe of extracting al- 

 cohol from it, a balneum maritr is commonly employed : 

 the heat is then more gentle, and more uniform, and the 

 produ6l of the diftillation is of a better quality : this product 

 i» the common fpirit of wine ufed in commerce. 



3d, Turtaf, 



