216 Chemistry. [Lecture 31. 



no other inflammable substance will. It shows 

 too a considerable attraction for water, for a mix- 

 ture of them becomes sensibly warm. Their 

 mutual attraction is the cause of their deserting 

 other substances to join each other. Thus, if water 

 is added to a resinous tincture, it precipitates the 

 resin, and mixes with the spirit ; and spirit of 

 wine precipitates many salts from water. 



The mixture of alcohol with different acids 

 produces some curious phenomena. 



The sulphuric acid unites with spirit of wine 

 with great violence. A mixture of this kind is 

 often made on account of the valuable produce 

 by distillation. The process is, 



Pour into a vessel capable of bearing a great 

 and sudden change in temperature a quantity of 

 spirit of wine ; then pour in an equal weight, not 

 an equal bulk of strong sulphuric acid, which is 

 almost twice as heavy as the spirit of wine. The 

 acid should be poured in through a funnel, to 

 prevent the effects of sudden mixture. The 

 greater part of the acid, on account of its weight, 

 sinks to the bottom. You may mix them by 

 gentle agitation. The vessel, however, soon be- 

 comes too hot to be touched. The mixture must 

 then be distilled with a brisk heat. The present 

 heat of the mixture is such, that if the still has 

 been previously heated, much of the liquor will 

 soon be evaporated. Cold water, or if oppor- 

 tunity, ice and snow must be frequently applied 

 to the receiver. The first matter that comes over 



