§ III. Preliminary Experiments an the ejects of Reagents.
A. Paper stained with litmus was distinctly reddened by the water.
B. Paper stained with Brazil-wood was changed to a deep purple.
C. When agitated in contact with the air, or repeatedly poured from one vessel into another, the water became turbid, and on standing deposited reddish Hakes.
D. On applying heat to a portion of the water just uncorked, and boiling it quickly, till it was reduced to one half or even one third of its original bulk, no precipitation whatever took place; but on continuing the evaporation, a white feathery crystalline substance appeared on the surface of the fluid, and on pushing the process still further, a saline matter of a pale yellowish green colour appeared, which continued to increase till the whole was reduced to a dry yellowish mass. These were the phenomena observed with water recently uncorked; but when, previous to the evaporation, it had been for some time exposed to the air, or when the evaporation was conducted very slowly, an appearance of reddish flakes was the first circumstance observed.
E. The mineral acids produced no obvious change in the water.
F. Oxalic acid produced a slight yellowish tinge; but no immediate precipitation or turbidness.
G. Oxalat of ammonia, in small quantity, likewise produced a yellow colour, without precipitate: but on adding more of this test a white precipitate appeared.
H. Prussiat of potash and infusion of galls produced abundant precipitates, the one blue, and the other black or dark purple; and
