Contents ix 



In what the fixation of antimony consists, p. 21. How, in 

 the opinion of the author, antimony can best be fixed, p. 21. 

 How fires protect the air from contagion, p. 22. 



CHAPTER IV. — Of the Source of Acid Liquids. 

 Also, of the Terrestrial Part of the Spirit 

 OF Nitre. 



Spirit of nitre is composed, in part, of an earthy matter, 

 p. 23. How the spirit of sulphur is produced, p. 23. It 

 does not exist in the substance of sulphur before it is set on 

 fire, pp. 23 and 163. Sulphur is endued with an alkaline 

 rather than an acid salt, p. 24. The spirit of sulphur seems 

 to be produced by its deflagration, p. 24. How the saline 

 particles of sulphur are liquefied, p. 25. The flame of 

 sulphur is very different from other fires, p. 25. Why it 

 is blue, p. 25. Its flame is less caustic than common flame, 

 p. 25. That the oil of vitriol at last distilled seems to be 

 formed by the action of fire, p. 26. Why the distillation 

 of vitriol can be continued so long, p. 26. Acid liquids 

 distilled from wood seem to be formed by the power of fire, 

 p. 27. As also the acid spirit of sugar and of honey, p. 

 27. How it is that colcothar exposed to air is anew 

 impregnated with spirit of vitriol, p. 28. Spirit of vitriol is 

 produced by fermentation set up by air, p. 28. On the cause 

 of rust, p. 29. How liquors become sour, p. 29. How spirit 

 of nitre is formed, p. 30. Nitro-aerial particles exist in 

 acid liquids, p. 31. Why there is such a close resemblance 

 between all acid liquids, p. 31. On the origin of nitre in the 

 earth, p. 32. Why contrary salts effervesce when mixed, 

 p. 32. Earth is impregnated with nitrous salt, but not with 

 fixed salt, p. 32. Why nitre is chiefly formed in saline-sul- 

 phureous soil, p. 32. The constituents of nitre reviewed, p. 33. 



CHAPTER v.— Of Nitro-Aerial Spirit, so far as 

 fermentations leading to the birth or death 

 of things are caused by it. 



How fermentation is excited in the earth, p. 34. On the 

 elementary principles of things \ and first on mercury, p. 34. 



