434 Dr. Blagden's Supplementary Report 
as to affect the third place of decimals, or consequently the 
tables intended for practice. 
Probably no one will be surprised that we did not think it 
necessary to make trial of the weighing-bottle proposed by 
Mr. Ramsden. Not to mention other inconveniences attend- 
ing this instrument, it seems evident that a piece of flat glass, 
with a thermometer projecting from it, laid down on the mouth 
of a bottle, cannot be depended upon to push off the super- 
fluous liquor equally every time ; and that the proper wiping 
of the bottle, when so covered, will be attended with difficulties 
of various kinds. 
It is true that the experiments by weight took up much 
time, aitd demanded great patience. But I believe that simi- 
lar experiments, by the methods recommended in the pam- 
phlet, if executed with the same degree of accuracy, would be 
found not much less tedious. However this may be, it is a 
consideration of no consequence, provided the results at length 
obtained be right. Now of these there is no direct impeach- 
ment, though some doubts are thrown upon them, on four ac- 
counts ; evaporation ; condensation of moisture on the weigh- 
ing-bottle ; difficulty of shaking the fluid in it ; and uncer- 
tainty in determining the heat. With regard to evaporation, 
its effect, we hope, has been ascertained, and allowed for, in 
these new experiments. All error from condensation of mois- 
ture was obviated by careful wiping. The fluid in the weigh- 
ing-bottle was agitated, and mixed together, by means of the 
thermometer immersed in it ; besides which, a considerable 
degree of motion could be given to it, even when the ball was 
very nearly full, by shaking the bottle in various directions. 
Mr. GiLPiNs known accuracy, and the care he bestowed on 
