64 
Copper . 
Some have condemned, in the new process, the practice 
of using the copper too soon ; but this objection fell to 
the ground, when it was observed that the verdigris ob- 
tained was in proportion to the copper corroded ; and 
what proves that this method is more advantageous, is* 
that all the manufacturers have abandoned the old method 
and adopted the new. * £^th Phih Mag . 71. 
Preparation of Crystallized Acetite of Copper: Crys - 
talli veneris . 
This is called in the colour shops distilled verdigris. 
Chaptal has given the process as follows : 
Crystals of Venus were fora long time manufactured 
in Holland, but at present they are manufactured at Mont- 
pellier, with a degree of perfection which renders them 
preferable to those of any other country. The process 
most generally employed consists in dissolving verdigris 
in vinegar, and evaporating the solution to a pellicle to 
obtain the crystals. The vinegar used is nothing else 
than sour vinasse (spoilt wine) distilled. In every manu- 
factory there is therefore an alembic, in which this w eak 
kind of vinegar is continually distilled. 
This distilled vinegar is put into a kettle, where it is 
boiled on the verdigris. After saturation the solution is 
left to clarify, and then poured into another kettle of cop- 
per, where it is evaporated to a pellicle. Sticks are then 
immersed into it, and by means of some pack-thread are 
tied to wooden bars which rest on the edge of the kettle. 
These sticks are about a foot long, and are split cross- 
wise nearly two inches at the end, so that they open into 
four branches, kept at about the distance of an inch from 
each other by small pegs. The crystals adhere to these 
* There are no large manufactories of verdigris at Montpel- 
lier ; but each family makes a certain quantity, and the operations 
are in general performed by women. 
