[ 571 3 
that the principal ufe they made of it, was to mix it 
with their fnuff, to give it, what they think, an 
agreeable fharpnefs ; and that it was yearly fent to 
Conftantinople, in large quantity, to be employed 
for the fame purpofe. But, fo far as I can learn, 
the Turks are entirely ignorant of its nature, and 
employ it for no other uCes. 
It is well known that this fait does not run per 
deliqiiium^ but falls down into a white floury pow- 
der, when expofcd to the air ; and that it makes a 
harder and firmer foap than the common vegetable 
alkali, and is alledged to make a purer and a finer 
glafs. 
This fait, which I have the honour now to prefent 
to the Society, is extremely pure, difibives entirely in 
water, leaving only afmall quantity of a reddifh. earth 
behind. I tried what quantity of acid an ounce of 
this fait would faturate, and found that it faturated 
as much as near two ounces and a half of the com- 
mon grofs barilla, in the form it is commonly im- 
ported. I had it likewife tried by callico printers, 
and it was found to anfwer all their purpofes, and 
nearly in the fame proportion with refpedl to the grofs 
barilla, as above-mentioned, and I was told that it 
was thought to anfwer better than any other fait they 
had ever tried. 
Mofi: of the neutral falts made with this alkali and 
acids (except the cubic nitre) keep long without 
running per deliquium^ even thofe made with vege- 
table acids } for mofi: of the neutral falts made with 
vegetable acids, and with fome of the fait now be- 
fore you, which I had the honour to prefent to this 
Society in the year 1767, ftill remain entire, though 
4 D 3 kept 
