212 Experiments for obtaining and preserving Potassium. 



To remedy all these defects I caused the melted metal to drop 

 from the end of the tube of the retort, (in which it is to be purified) 

 directly into wide mouthed, ground stoppered vials. The metal so 

 moulds itself to the surface of the glass, that it excludes all oxidizing 

 agents and exhibits most beautifully and fairly its high metallic lustre, 

 which cannot be distinguished from that of the purest quicksilver. 

 According to the above description I have prepared a number of bot- 

 tles, which not only exhibit the true metallic lustre, but preserve the 

 metal as long as required. The only portion which can possibly be 

 oxidized is the upper surface, and this is protected by a thin film of 

 naphtha or oil of copaiva. The above article is put up in bottles 

 holding from half a drachm to two drachms, and is now for sale by 

 Mr. Geo. Chilton of this city. 



Fig. 2. a 



In fig. 1, is represented a front view of the furnace, in which a represents a circu- 

 lar hole for putting the retort and tube into the furnace which is closed by a piece of 

 soap stone, fitted accurately and perforated for receiving the tube of the retort; & 

 the door of the furnace used for removing the ashes and passing in the fire hook to 

 pull down the grate ; c the aperture on the top for throwing in fuel ; d the front of the 

 furnace, and E the top. 



Fig. 2, represents a side view of a section of the furnace ; a a is the passage for 

 the air which conies from the cellar ; b b the interior of the furnace ; c aperture at 

 the top ; d the retort and tube, the latter passing through the hole a, seen in fig. 1. 

 The retort rests on bricks which project from the back of the furnace ; g is the 

 moveable grate, one end resting on a projection from the walls of the furnace, while 

 the other is supported by bricks pulled down with the hooky, whenever necessary. 



