MINERAL WATERS OF DUNBLANE. 451 



mass being frequently stirred, and when the vapours had cea- 

 sed to exhale, the heat was raised to redness, to expel any ex- 

 cess of acid. The dry matter weighed 22 grains, precisely the 

 quantity that ought to be obtained from 18 grains of muriate 

 of lime. 



It was diffused in a quantity of water, which it at first ab- 

 sorbed with a hissing noise. The water, after having been 

 added in successive quantities, with frequent agitation, being 

 poured off, the undissolved matter was dried at a low red 

 heat : it weighed 18.5 grains, and formed a soft white powder, 

 free from taste. The water poured off was very slightly acidu- 

 lous. This was neutralised by ammonia j it was then evapo- 

 rated to dryness, and the solid matter was heated to redness. 

 On again submitting it to the action of a small quantity of wa- 

 ter, a portion remained undissolved, which weighed when dri- 

 ed 2 grains. 



There were thus obtained 20.5 grains of sulphate of lime, a 

 quantity equivalent to 16.7 of dry muriate of lime. The small 

 portion of liquor which remained in the last operation, had a 

 bitterish taste : by spontaneous evaporation, it formed acicular 

 crystals ; diluted with distilled water, it became slightly turbid 

 on adding oxalate of ammonia, and more so on the addition of 

 alkohol ; but in the latter case, the transparency was restored 

 on adding water. With a minute portion, therefore, of sul- 

 phate of lime, it appeared to be principally sulphate of soda, 

 derived from a little muriate of soda, which, notwithstanding? 

 the precautions that were employed, had adhered to the muri- 

 ate of lime. 



The matter which remained undissolved by the /alkohol^ 

 weighed, it has been stated 28.5 grains. It remained to as- 

 certain if it were entirely muriate of soda. 



Being 



