J34* ANALYSIS OF AMBERGRIS. 



A larger quantity of water was added, and the whole was 

 diflblved. 

 Cauftic potaili Cauflic potafl) triturated for fome time in a mortar with 

 ta"crits°fofution ambergris does not facilitate its folution in water, 

 in cold water. Ammoniac does not act on ambergris cold, but when heated 

 Ammonia dif- ^jifloi^^gs it the mixture gradually becomes brown, and on 

 folves It A-ith . ' . . =" ■' • 11 



the aidof heat, evaporation yields a glutinous faponaceous lubliance, m all re- 



fpecls fimilar to that obtained by means of potafli. 

 Itis folublein Exp. VII. ' The fixed oils, as thofe of rape, olive, &c. 

 the fixed oils, dKfolve amber with the athftance of heat in a very (hort time ; 



the folution is yellow and tranfparent, and becomes brown on 



being evaporated, 

 and in the voia- Exp. VIII. Volatile oils likewife diflblve ambergris, 

 tile oils. Thofe of turpentine, favine, and hyfTop, exhibit the fame 



appearances. The folution aflifted by heat takes place pretty 



readily. 

 On eviporating On evaporation a thick red magma is produced, incapable 

 tJ^ fjiuuoii a qJ- complete deficcation, burning on the coals, and emitting a 

 left, wiiich is denfe fmoak, of a fmell refembling that of the ambergris, 

 foluble mal- Alcohol diffolved this lubliance, and thence acquired a golden 



yellow colour, but it was precipitated from it by means of 



water. 

 Old v.latile oils If volatile oils be too old, they will not completely dilTolve 

 will no diflblve ■^^^ gygj^ ^itj^ ^he help of long continued heat. 

 Soluble! a ether. Exp. IX. It diifolves very quickly in ether, even cold. 

 Alcohol I'epa- ^^^^ X. The folufion of ambergris by alcohol is the only 



ftituent parts. O"^ that is really capable of affording us any certain refults. 



Its conflituenl parts may be feparated by it in fuch a manner, 



that on reuniting them a compound is obtained, the qualities 



of which came very near thofe of the original fubfiance. 

 Part diflblved in 3.S21 grammes (one drachm) of ambergris were reduced to 

 alcohol without powder, put into a phial, and 61. 14-3 grammes, (two ounces) 

 '\ of redified alcohol were poured on them. A maceration of , 



twenty four hours was fufficient to give the alcohol a deep 



yellow colour ; it was filtered, and a freth quantity of alcohol 

 another p»rt by was poured on the undiffolved portion. The folution was 

 means of heat J facilitated by increafing the temperature. The whole of the 

 bTar,k matter-^' ambergris being diffolved, except ^ fmall quantity of black 

 and feparating matter, the liquor was filtered while hot. It palled through 

 when wl4, ^j^^ ^-|jg^ ^^^.^j. . ^^t ^^ cooling there feparated from it a light 



pale yellow fubftance, part of which adhered to the fides of 



the veffel. 



The 



