0 53) 
to Acids, they would more plainly unite withone that vio- 
lent contention, which ufually enfues. 
2. Alcalies and Volatil Salts agree in moft properties^ 
excepting their different Degrees of Gravitation. They 
are both Diuretical and De-obftruent ; they both diflblve 
Sulphureous Bodies; agree in their contrariety to Acid.% 
but mix together quietly without noife, heat, ebullition, 
or impairing each other vertues, and are eafily feparable ^ 
the fame in quantity and quality they were before mix* 
tare. 
3. Tartareoasor Effential Salts of Vegetables cannot be- 
come Alcalies, until their Acidity be driven away ; during 
which operation the Volatil Salts and Oyl uniting, become 
more ponderous than the Acid, which before did gravitate 
more than either of them in their feparate ftate ; So that fuch 
a degree of Fire, as will wholly diflipate the Acid Spirit, 
cannot elevate the more ponderous Alcali. Not but that, 
contrary to what is commonly aflerted, the moft fixt Alca- 
li may be fublimed to great height without additaments, by 
any intenfe degree of heat : For, I have frequently reduced 
a pound thereof unto three or four ounces, and recover*d a 
confiderable proportion, which was caught in v/ell-con- 
triv'd Veflels, fome yards above the Crucible ; little, if 
at all, alter'd from what it was immediately before it fuf- 
fer'd this violence. Upon this account chiefly it is, that 
yields fome fmall quantity of an Alcali, efpecially that 
neareft the F(?r^» 
4. Alcalies may be divided into Oyl and Volatil fait 
by facil and natural methods of procedure. I my felf have 
many ways efFefted this in part : And a very worthy per- 
fon, in whom I can perfeflly confide, aflur*d me, lie hath 
frequently r^folved the whole Body of Alcalies into the two 
diftinfl fubftances of Volatil Sale and Oyl) receiving of 
the latter a fmall proportion ; Which is alfo confirmed 
X by 
