Lampic Acid. 65 
best results., Too much of the cotton must not be exposed, to 
much of the liquid will evaporate unchanged and adulterate the 
product ; nor must the lamp be placed too high in the alembic, 
which would extinguish it, or so low as to allow the vapour or 
be dissipated. With this lamp Mr. Daniel made several experi- 
ments. 
The first vapours which he collected were those from spirit of 
wine. The condensed liquid was slightly acid, and of a pleasant 
pungent smell. In the sequel the acid was proved to be the 
same as that produced from ether largely diluted with water and 
spirit of wine. 
Spirit of turpentine gave a liquid of a light amber colour, and 
agreeable odour, which, by evaporation of the superfluous spirit, 
gave a resin of a deep amber colour, very fragrant, and quite 
free from turpentine, inflammable, and yielding much charcoal. It 
is soluble in spirits of wine, from which it precipitates in a white 
state by adding water to the solution. 
His experiments with camphor did not succeed to his satisfac- 
tion; but with ether he succeeded perfectly, and obtained above 
a pint and a half of the condensed vapour, consisting principally 
of the new acid, to which, as pledging no hypothetical views of 
its composition, and merely serving to recall to the mind “ its 
mode of formation, and its connexion with that brilliant chain 
of investigation which is the boast of science and the triumph 
of humanity,” he has given the name of Lampie Acid. 
This acid when first collected is a colourless liquid, of an in- 
tensely sour taste, and pungent odour; yielding when heated 
a vapour extremely irritating and disagreeable. It is purified by 
careful evaporation, yielding alcoholic vapour, and not that of 
_ ether. When thus rectified its specific gravity is 1015. It reddens 
vegetable blues; decomposes all the earthy and alkaline carbo- 
nates ; and forms with them neutral salts, all of which are more 
or less deliquescent. 
According to Mr. Daniel’s experiments, Lampate of Soda con- 
sists of acid 62°1 and soda 39:7. This salt is very deliquescent, 
of a not unpleasant saline taste ; is difficultly crystallized, and is 
speedily decomposed by heat. - 
Lampate of barytes by composition consists of acid 395, 
barytes 60°5. Decomposed by sulphuric acid, its composition 
comes out acid 40°2, barytes 59°8. It crystallizes readily in co- 
lourless transparent needles, is less deliquescent than the lam- 
pates of soda, of potash, or of ammonia, and is very soluble in 
water. 
Lampate of potash can hardly be distinguished by taste from 
lampate of soda, is less deliquescent, and not easily obtained in 
crystals. 
Vol. 53. No. 249. Jan, 1819. E Lampate 
