404 Mr. Hatchett’s Observations on the Change 
E. The benzoic and succinic acids were not obtained from 
this substance, by any of the methods usually employed. 
F. Alcohol almost immediately began to act upon this bitu- 
men; and, being added at different times, gradually dissolved a 
considerable part of it. The solution was reddish-brown, and 
had a resinous odour ; by the addition of water it became milky, 
and, by evaporation, afforded a dark brown substance, which 
had every property of resin, whilst the residuum left by the 
alcohol possessed those properties which characterize asphaltum. 
The following analysis was then made, to discover the pro- 
portions of the component ingredients. 
ANALYSIS OF THE BITUMEN FROM BOVEY. 
A. 100 grains, reduced to a fine powder, were digested 
during 48 hours with six ounces of alcohol, the vessel being 
placed in sand moderately warmed. A deep reddish-brown 
tincture was thus obtained ; and the operation was again twice 
repeated, with other portions of the same menstruum, until it 
ceased to act upon the residuum. 
The whole of the spirituous solution (which had been cau- 
tiously decanted ) was then subjected to a very gradual distilla- 
tion in an alembic, and yielded a brown fragrant resin, which 
weighed 55 grains. 
B. The residuum, which could not be dissolved by alcohol, 
was digested in boiling distilled water, but this did not act upon 
it ; the whole was therefore collected on a filter, was gradually 
dried, without heat, by mere exposure to the air, and then 
weighed 44 grains. 
These 44 grains consisted of a light, porous, pale-brown sub- 
stance, which, being melted, formed a black, shining, brittle 
mass. It burned with the odour of asphaltum, but rather less 
