284 Notice of the Nipdlese Spirit Still. [May, 



ed dubli, and marked (6) is put into the putasi ; its base, corre- 

 sponding in circumference to the large opening in the latter, fills it up 

 completely, and leaves the circle of smaller holes free, for the passage 

 of the spirituous vapour, to ascend into the still head, or putasi. 



The receiver being placed as above noted, within the portion mark- 

 ed (3), the vessel (5), named batta, or condenser of copper, is filled 

 with cold water, and placed over, and into the mouth of the putasi, 

 or still-head, fitting so close, as to prevent the escape of any portion 

 of the spirituous vapour from the latter. Thus fitted, the distillation 

 is accomplished, care being taken to remove the condenser so often as 

 is necessary to replace the water become warm, by colder, fit for the 

 condensation of the spirituous steam. 



The shape of the condenser suits the performance of its office ; the 

 vapour rising through the smaller holes around the receiver comes in 

 contact with its entire surface, and being there condensed, runs to- 

 wards the apex of it, and thence falls into the sub-incumbent receiver. 

 The still is charged, cf necessity, previous to the fixing of the re- 

 ceiver and condenser, and these portions are removed at each fresh 

 charge; the receiver being either emptied of its contents and replaced, 

 or a spare one introduced. 



At each removal of the condenser there is of course some loss 

 from the escape of vapour, but it is trifling, as there are usually two 

 of these vessels attached to each still, and thus the time occupied in 

 replacing a warm condenser, by a cold, is very inconsiderable. 



It must be admitted, that this process is rather rude, and it will be 

 seen, that the construction of the still has not reference to the most 

 approved principles for economising fuel. It is deep and narrow, in- 

 stead of broad and shallow, yet it is very efficient ; and it must be re- 

 membered, that the shallow broad still even in Europe is of very 

 modern date, and the result of the severe excise laws, existing in our 

 own, and more civilized countries. 



There is one peculiarity in the working of this still, worthy of re- 

 mark, and the advantages of which in saving fuel compensate in some 

 degree for its rudeness. So soon as the still is in full play, and a por- 

 tion of vapour has been condensed, and reached the receiver, a fresh 

 distillation commences. 



The receiver heated from below causes the spirits to be converted 

 into vapour, which is again condensed, and thus a constant round of 

 distillation is carried on between the receiver and condenser, in addi- 

 tion to the proper distillation of the contents charging the bodv of 

 the still. Alcohol, at the specific gravity of 863. can be produced 

 from this still, and I have used it with complete success, in making the 



