Bi-malate of Lime in the berries of the Sumach. 59 
from the Sorbus, Sempervivum &c. arises from the admix- 
ture of mucilage and other impurities. 
The salt procured as above is intensely but agreeably acid. 
It dissolves abundantly in water, but in very small propor- 
tion in aleohol. At a low heat it fuses and parts with its 
water of crystallization, assuming at the same time a gummy 
aspect. A little below redness the acid is decomposed, the 
mass swells very much, and if the heat be increased, every 
thing is driven off but the lime which remains in a bulky 
form, but perfectly pure and white. A single crystal placed 
on a slip of platinum foil and held over a spirit lamp, presents 
a very curious appearance, first melting, and in a moment 
after shooting up in a white column of pure lime. This phe- 
nomenon is quite characteristic of the salt. 
In investigating the nature of this salt, of which as already 
stated, I at first entertained some doubts, I made the follow- 
ing experiments : 
1. A portion of the salt was heated to bright redness in a 
platinum capsule, so as to drive off all the water and acid. 
The white spongy mass remaining was strongly alkaline. It 
was dissolved in dilute muriatic acid. The solution was di- 
vided into two portions, of which one was tested for potash, 
the other for lime. None of the former base could be de- 
tected, but an abundant precipitate of oxalate of lime indi- 
cated the presence of the latter. 
2. A portion of the salt was dissolved in distilled water in 
& test tube. Upon adding a few |drops of liquid oxalic or 
citric acids, a white precipitate was formed. Liquid tartaric 
acid being added to a similar solution produced, after some 
time, brilliant octahedral crystals of tartrate of lime, which 
adhered to the sides of the tube. It appeared therefore, that 
the base of the salt was lime. 
3. To a solution of the salt in distilled water, a few drops 
of the solution of acetate of lead were added. A beautifully 
white flocculent precipitate was abundantly produced. This 
precipitate was insoluble in ammonia, and therefore could 
not be a citrate of lead. Indeed, neither citric, tartaric, or 
