210 AN ANALYSIS 



D. The saline matter was digested with 9 ounces of a weak- 

 er spirit, composed of 2 of alcohol and 1 of water, heat being 

 applied to it by a sand-bath nearly to ebullition, with frequent 

 agitation ; and the liquor having been poured off while hot, 

 4 ounces more of the same diluted alcohol were added, heated 

 as before, and after it had become clear by subsidence, this li- 

 quor was added to the other. The greater part of the saline 

 mass, consisting chiefly of muriate of soda, was thus dissolved. 



E. The residue was submitted to the action of successive 

 quantities of a still weaker spirit, composed of 3 of alkohol, and 

 4 of water, aided by heat, with the view of dissolving the sul- 

 phate of magnesia and of soda. A solution was obtained of a 

 strong saline taste. 



F. To abstract these salts more completely, the residue was 

 lixiviated with small successive portions of warm water ; a so- 

 lution having a similar taste was obtained. 



G. There was left at length a powder, soft, light, tasteless, 

 and insoluble. 



It now remained to examine these products more minutely, 

 to determine their nature, and estimate precisely their quanti- 

 ties. 



The powder obtained in the first evaporation A, consists, 

 according to Lavoisier, of sulphate and carbonate of lime. It 

 weighed when dry 25 grains ; it was submitted to the action of 

 a very dilute alcohol, acidulated with muriatic acid, which ex- 

 cited effervescence ; this being poured off, and the residue be- 

 ing lixiviated, and dried, weighed 22 grains. It was sulphate 

 of lime, and absorbed water with avidity, becoming solid and 

 dry. The liquor poured off, afforded by evaporation a saline 

 deliquescent matter, which, heated with sulphuric acid, gave 



products 



