New Philosophical Furnaces

PART I.

...nor if you have obtained a sufficient quantity of spirits original: "spirituum"; these are the volatile vapors or liquid essences released during the heating process..

And this method of distilling is especially useful for those exploring the natures and properties of many and various minerals, for the sake of experimenting with what kinds of spirits and flowers original: "flores"; these are solid substances that have been sublimated—turned into vapor by heat and then cooled back into a fine powder. they yield in the fire. For it is excessively tedious to have to apply a new and specialized receiver The vessel used to collect and condense the substances produced during distillation. for every new distillation. Many students of the chemical art would likely abandon their studies if they were only able to perform a single trial original: "Proba"; a test or assay to determine the composition of a mineral. per day using retorts A glass or ceramic vessel with a long, downward-pointing neck used for distilling substances.. It is no wonder if the expense and the waste of time would deter many.

Here, however, there is no need for a great number of retorts, nor for their luting original: "lutatione"; the process of sealing joints in the apparatus with a clay or paste to prevent vapors from escaping., nor for receivers and other such superfluous things. Neither is the constant presence of the operator required here, nor the strict observation of the fire’s regulation—neglect of which would otherwise lead to the feared loss of retorts and receivers, and consequently, the frustration of the entire work. These and other tedious concerns are avoided here, because it is enough simply to throw the material upon the coals and cover the furnace; then, immediately, the spirits and flowers of the same kind as the mineral come forth. Once you have obtained a sufficient quantity of these, you must pull out the iron bars upon which the coals rest, so that they fall down to be cleared away. While the furnace is still hot, replace the iron bars and place other coals upon them, which will then ignite spontaneously from the heat of the furnace. Meanwhile, you must also remove the Receiver, and...