VINEGAR, CIDER, AND FRUIT-WINES. 



lid. The fire-place has the form of a truncated cone, and the 

 retort is surrounded by it only to about five-sixths of its height, 

 while the upper end projects about one foot. The movable cover 

 being omitted the exchange of the retorts is facilitated. The 

 brick work of refractory material is held together at the top by 

 a strong iron ring. The bottom of the fire-place is formed by an 

 arch below which is the hearth whose flames surround the curved 

 surface as well as the bottom of the retort. At the top the fire- 

 Fig. 51. 



place is terminated by an iron ring placed on the retort. To save 

 fuel the fire-place serves for two retorts, as shown in the illustra- 

 tion. 



The fire burns constantly upon the hearth ; it is regulated by 

 means of two registers placed in the upper end of the fire-place 

 in the draught apertures. The four rectangular apertures below 

 the vault introduce the gases from the condenser. 



When a retort, for instance, that at the left of the figure, is dis- 

 tilled off, the register and gas conducting channel belonging to 

 this retort are closed. The retort is then lifted out, placed upon 

 an iron wagon running upon a track, and taken away to cool. 

 Another retort filled with wood, and made tight by a clay luting, 

 is then inserted by means of a crane, and the register and gas 



