8 WRITINGS OF JAMES SMITHSON. 



did the mixture on standing become a jelly; and on the 

 total evaporation of the fluid part, a small quantity of mu- 

 riate of tartar only remained. The spirit of wine seems, 

 therefore, to have dissolved merely a portion of superabun- 

 dant alkali present in the mixture, but none of that united 

 with Tabasheer. 



(F) To different portions of this solution were added 

 some pure marine acid, some pure white vitriolic acid, and 

 some distilled vinegar, each in excess. These acids at first 

 produced neither heat, effervescence, any precipitate, or the 

 least sensible effect, except the vitriolic acid, which threw 

 down a very small quantity of a white matter ; but, after 

 standing some days, these mixtures changed into jellies so 

 firm, that the glasses containing them were inverted without 

 their falling out. 



This change into jelly equally took place whether the 

 mixtures were kept in open or closed vessels, were exposed 

 to the light or secluded from it ; nor did it seem to be much 

 promoted by boiling the mixtures. 



(G) Some solution of mild volatile alkali in distilled 

 water, being added to some of this solution, seemed at the 

 first instant of mixture to have no effect upon it ; but in the 

 space of a second or two it occasioned a copious white pre- 

 cipitate. 



(H) The flakes remaining on the glasses at (D) and (E) 

 put into marine acid raised a slight effervescence, but did 

 not dissolve. These flakes when taken out of the acid, and 

 well washed, were found, like the original Tabasheer, to be 

 white and opaque when dry ; but- to become transparent 

 when moistened, and then to shew the blue and flame 

 colour, II. (A). 



(I) The jellies (F), diluted with water, and collected on a 

 filter, appeared to be the Tabasheer unchanged. 



X. A bit of Tabasheer, weighing two-tenths of a grain, 

 was boiled in 127 gr. of strong caustic volatile alkali for a 

 considerable time ; but after being made red hot, it had not 

 sustained the least diminution of weight. 



