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* 1.1TO discover what Liquors Ice would be soonest dissolved in, we contrived to freeze Water in a long Cylinder; which being loosen'd by applying a warm Hand, we divided some into Pieces ¼ of an Inch long, and others into Inches, and our Experiments being made with these Cylindrical Pieces of Ice:
2. We likewise thought it worth while to try, what difference there would be in the Duration of Pieces of Ice, of the same Bulk and Figure, but of different Liquors; as also whether Attrition would contribute to the Dissolution of Ice, which Iobserv'd it did: Whence it appears, That as the Agents contiguous to Ice are different, they dissolve it's Texture sooner or later, and if Snow or Ice be kept in a Place where neither the Sun nor the Air hath much Influence upon it, it will continue a long time.
1. In confirmation of what was said in the Close of this Title, I shall add the following Account of the Italian Conservatories, sent me by my ingenious Friend Mr. J. Evelyn:
The Snow-Pits in Italy, &c. are sunk in the most solitary and cooled Places, commonly at the Foot of some Mountain or elevated Ground, which may best protect them from the Meri∣dional or Occidental Sun; 25 Foot wide at the Orifice, and about 50 deep, is esteemed a competent Proportion. And though this be excavated in a Conical Form, yet it is made flat at the Bottom, or Point. The Sides of the Pit are so joyced, that Boards may be nail∣ed upon them very closely jointed. About a Yard from the Bottom, is fixed a strong Frame or Tresle, upon which lyes a wooden Grate; the Top or Cover is double thatch'd, with Reed or Straw, upon a copped Frame or Roof; in one of the sides whereof is a narrow Door∣case, hipped on like the Top of the Dormer, and thatched—
To Conserve Snow.
They lay clean Straw upon the Grate or Wattle, so as to keep the Snow from running through, whilst they beat it to a hard Cake of an icy Consistence, which is near one Foot thick; upon this they make a layer of Straw, and then Snow, and Straw again; and continue S.S.S. 'till the Pit is full, and then laying Straw
or Reeds upon all, they keep the Door locked. This Grate is so contrived, that the Snow melting by any Accident in laying, or ex∣traordinary Season of Weather, it may drain away from the Mass, and sink without sta∣gnating upon it, which would accelerate the Dissolution; and therefore the Bottom is but very slightly steened, &c.
2. And it hath been observ'd by the Dutch-Men in their Voyage to Nova Zembla, That in June, the Sun was not powerful enough to melt Snow: And even in warmer Climates, where the Reflection of the Sun-beams is not so considera∣ble, Snow continues unthawed all Summer; as upon the Top of the Alps, and other high Moun∣tains. And Capt. James observes, that, in Au∣gust, Ice that was kept in the Sun-beams, conti∣nued unmelted 8 Days or more; and the same Author observes, that the very Ground was fro∣zen in June.
What Li∣quors soon∣est dissolve Ice and Snow.