63 
Dr. de Crell on the Decomposition 
Exp. v. I poured three ounces of the oxygenated muriatic 
acid upon half an ounce of the sedative salt, in a white glass 
tubulated retort. I used such a retort, that (in frequently pour- 
ing back the distilled fluid) I might not have to lute afresh the 
several vessels, after every distillatory digestion. For the same 
reason also, I chose a tubulated receiver, the tube of which 
gradually terminated in a point, in shape of a funnel. This 
tube passed into a phial, placed in such a manner that all the 
fluid passing into the receiver dropped immediately into the 
phial, the joinings of which were closed with bladder. To 
close the tube of the retort, I did not think it right to use a 
waxed cork, (though it closes very tight,) because it might be 
corroded ; and also, because the vapours, dropping from the cork, 
might carry some fat and oily matter back into the retort. For 
the same reason, I would not use any greasy lute ; but closed 
the joints of the glass stopper (which fitted remarkably close) 
with a ring of fine sealing-wax, closely pressed upon it, but 
which could easily be disengaged, after my work was done, 
while the retort was still warm : and, as I was even afraid of 
an oily lute about the joints of the receiver, I closed them up 
with a ring of very fine white clay, which I fitted to them as 
exactly as possible, by pressure ; letting it stand several days, 
to dry, and then carefully filling up all the cracks. Having made 
this previous arrangement, and put the abovementioned ingre- 
dients together, I suffered them to remain cold for twenty-four 
hours ; at the end of which, the salt was not entirely dissolved, 
but, upon the application of heat, the whole became a clear fluid.* 
* This appeared to me so striking, that I endeavoured to obtain a confirmation of 
it. I made a similar mixture, in the same proportions, which was not dissolved so 
tong as it remained cold ; but was dissolved by heat. When the solution cooled, a 
