90 An Inquiry concerning the 



when I imagined I saw proofs of its having taken 

 place. 



On removing the cork, after the contents of the 

 bottle had been suffered to cool, there was no appear- 

 ance of any considerable quantity of air, or other per- 

 manently elastic fluid, having been either generated or 

 absorbed during the experiment. 



Finding that the oxide of gold might be so com- 

 pletely and so expeditiously reduced by means of 

 ether, I conceived it might be possible to perform that 

 chemical process in the moist way, by means of essen- 

 tial oils ; and this conjecture proved to be well founded. 



Experiment No. 14. Upon a quantity of a diluted 

 aqueous solution of nitro-muriate of gold, in a small 

 pear-like phial, about i| inch in diameter at its bulb, 

 was poured a small quantity of ethereal oil of turpentine, 

 just as much as was sufficient to cover the aqueous 

 solution to the height of i 2 o of an inch ; and the phial 

 being closed with a good cork, well secured in its place, 

 it was exposed one hour to the heat of boiling water in 

 a steam-vessel. 



The gold was revived, appearing in the form of a 

 splendid pellicle of a bright gold colour, which floated 

 on the surface of the aqueous liquid. The oil of tur- 

 pentine, which at the beginning of the experiment was 

 as pale and colourless as pure water, had taken a bright 

 yellow hue ; and the aqueous fluid on which it reposed 

 had entirely lost its yellow colour. 



On shaking the phial, its contents were intimately 

 mixed ; but, on suffering it to stand quiet, the oil of 

 turpentine soon separated from the aqueous liquid, 

 retaining its bright yellow hue, and leaving the aque- 

 ous liquid colourless. 



