determinately reduced into Method at all: The different Acids having the Properties talked of in the Alkalies, of producing different Colours; and even the ſame Acid being ſometimes capable of affording either a green or a blue Solution, according to the different Quantity of the Metal diſſolved in it. In Caſes of this Kind, however, I have every where judged the moſt perfect Solution the propereſt to deſcribe the Effect of the Menſtruum by: And of what I have principally learnt by theſe Experiments, be pleaſed to accept the following Account.
A Solution of Copper in Oil of Olives, is of a fine graſs Green; in white Wax, of a bluiſh Green, approaching to the Colour of our Aqua marine; and in pure Water, of a dead whitiſh Green. In regard to theſe Menſtruums it is, however, to be obſerved, that the expreſſed vegetable Oils do not diſſolve Copper, as Oils, but by means of certain other heterogene Particles which they contain; for all expreſſed vegetable Oils contain in them Water, and a latent acid Salt: of both which, I am pretty certain, they may be wholly diveſted by Fire, and rendered, by that Means, incapable of acting as Menſtruums on this Metal: For I have found, that Oil of Olives, after long boiling, has been capable of extracting ſcarce any Colour at all from Copper; and make no doubt but that it might be ſo perfectly deprived of its Acid, as well as Water, by long boiling with Litharge, or ſome ſimilar Subſtance pro-
proper
