ANALYSIS OF LITIIOMAUCE. 165 



When cxpofed to tlie action of acids, no cf- 

 fervefcence is produced. The powder, indeed, 

 excites a degree of motion in the mixture ; but 

 not greater than when water is poured upon it, 

 throwing out a few air bubbles. . 



In order to be well acquainted with the prox- 

 imate principles of this earth, it is ncceilary to 

 learn by a few judicious experiments, what, and 

 how many they are *. After this difcovery the 

 next llep is, to purfuc the proper method for 

 determining their fcparatc quantities. In the 

 prdent cafe, we have judged the following mode 

 of analyfis the moil convenient. A centenary, 

 or a hundred docimallic pounds of the earth, be- 

 ing reduced to powder, and inferted in a fmall 

 glafs cucurbit, with twice the weight of highly 

 concentrated vitriolic acid ; an alembic with a 

 receiver was adapted, andclofely luted, and the 

 whole apparatus placed in a land bath. By a 

 gentle heat an acid vapour was firil expelled ; 

 which being examined, was found to contain 

 muriatic acid, that had doubtiefs arifen from 

 decomposed lea fult. A greater degree of heat 

 brought over no ammoniacal ilowcrs. The fu- 

 L 3 perlluous 



* If a fma!I quantity only of calcareous earth is prcfcnt, it 

 will ho in vain to expect a precipitation by the tartarizccl vege- 

 table alkali. The water* of Uplul, in which thcleailgrain of the 

 cryllalhzcd acid of fugar occafions white clouds and ilrcaks, in a 

 fc;v fccon if, arc not in the fmalleit decree affected by the tar- 

 larizcd vc;j. alkali, though a hundred times their weight ; 

 but remain perfectly clear without any dcpofition. 



