ALKALI OF WINCKLEK. 277 



distilled over. By re- distilling this a foetid liquid 

 was obtained, which had a strongly alkaline reaction, 

 and evidenced, when tested with a rod wetted with 

 muriatic acid, the presence of a considerable amount 

 of ammonia or some other volatile base. 



The liquid was now neutralised with muriatic acid 

 and evaporated, crystals of salt were left, which were 

 dissolved in water, mixed with chloride of platinum, 

 ether, and alcohol, and filtered ; then washed with 

 ether and alcohol, and dried at 100 C. (212 F.)> and 

 0-0165 of this gave 0074 platinum. 



Ammonia would give 0'0073, so the volatile alkali 

 in this wine is ammonia. 



The wine was pure Bordeaux, and had an agreeable 

 smell and flavour. 



These tests appear to me sufficient to render any 

 further research after the odoriferous volatile alkali in 

 wine unnecessary. With the ammonia a little of some 

 odoriferous substance may distil over from the wine, 

 but the alkali is always ammonia. 



