40 
FALSIFICATION OF WINE VINEGAR, &C. 
ment called acetometer can lead to error, from its construction, 
dimensions, and the length of the divisions marked upon it. 
We have obtained the following results, when operating with 
two instruments bought in Paris, from two makers, MM. R. 
and L. . : . 
Acetometer L. 2.90. Acetometer R. 2.25 
3. " 2.25 
3.10 " 2.50 
3.10 " 2.50 
3. " 2.25 
" 2.80 " 2.25 
2.50 " 2.10 
It is plain, from the above results, that not only these instru- 
ments, when placed in the same vinegar, do not indicate the 
same degree, but that, moreover, these degrees are not uniform 
as respects the differences. It is true, that upon one of the 
instruments, the divisions were very close together, and that 
it was very difficult to note the differences in all cases. The 
best acetometer will be that, which, from its size, presents 
upon its stem divisions so distant, that they can easily be 
observed. 
We shall not conclude this note, without stating, that, for 
some time past, made up vinegars have been prepared at Paris: 
these do not contain the acidulous tartrate of potassa present 
in wine, but most generally a salt, the base of which is lime. 
These vinegars, which do not possess the freshness of wine 
vinegar, and which I have investigated, contain a small quan- 
tity of sulphuric acid ; but it exists in so small a proportion, 
that we are not of opinion that it is added to give strength to 
the article. 
With this terminates what we have to say upon vinegars. 
We think that by employing the methods of experimenting 
which we have indicated, a guarantee is afforded against the 
frauds practised by the dishonest, to pervert a product, which, 
in the present state of our civil existence, must be considered 
as of the first necessity. 
Orleans vinegar, No. 1. 
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