Experimental notes of the mechanical origine or production of fixtness.

EXPER. XV.

NOtwithstanding the vast diffe∣rence betwixt common water and high rectified Spirit of Wine, whereof men generally take the for∣mer for the most contrary body to fire, and whereof the Chymists take the later to be but a kind of liquid Sulphur, since it may presently be all reduc'd into flame; yet, as I ex∣pected, I found upon trial, that Oyl of Vitriol being mingled with pure Spirit of Wine, would as well grow hot, as with common water. Nor does this Experiment always require great quantities of the liquors. For when I took but one ounce of strong Oyl of Vitriol, though I put to it less than half an ounce of choice Spirit of Wine, yet those two being lightly shaken together, did in a trice conceive so brisk a Heat, that they almost fill'd the vial with fumes, and made it so hot, thar I had una∣wares

like to have burnt my hand with it before I could lay it a∣side.

I made the like Trial with the same Corrosive Menstruum, and common Aqua vitae bought at a Strong-water-shop, by the mixture of which Liquors, Heat was pro∣duc'd in the Vial that I could not well endure.

The like success I had in an Ex∣periment wherein Oyl of Vitriol was mixt with common Brandy; save that in this the Heat produced seem'd not so intense as in the for∣mer Trial, which it self afforded not so fierce a Heat as that which was made with rectified Spirit of Wine.