[ 276 ]
The upper Part of the Receiver became covered with a thin ſtony Cruſt.
The Swedes ſpeak of a Cruſt of abſolute Flint, upon the Surface of the Liquor in the Receiver: But they put Water there: This was the ſame Subſtance: And it remained fix'd on Part of the Receiver: While Part was diſplaced; probably by ſome light Vapour from the Spirit of Wine.
The Corroſion of the Glaſs of the Retort ſeems to be an Effect of that peculiar Sublimation which riſes in the Diſtillation; nay, and begins to riſe, even without that Operation: For watching attentively the Effect of mixing the vitriolic Acid with the Stone, I perceived, that tho' they ſeemed to meet without any Eſſerveſcence, yet by Degrees there appeared a ſlight Commotion; which increaſed for a conſiderable Time, and, during which, this ſtrange Sublimation of the Flores began to be made; and increaſed with it; even before any Fire was uſed.
Repeating this Trial, and breaking the Retort afterwards, no Fire at all having been uſed, I found it corroded in Waves; where the Flores had adhered to the Neck, and eaten in very deeply, juſt at the Surface of the Matter.
The Flores themſelves are extremely acrid to the Taſte, and are indiſſoluble in any Acid; nor can be run into Glaſs by any Fire.
The Acid of this Stone in its pureſt State, ſo far as I have ſeen it, is about one third heavier than Water.
After ſeven Hours a Hole was eaten thro' the Retort, and Fumes iſſued: But this was ſoon
