LAMP-BLACK

See Black . LAMPATES and LAMPIC ACID. When a spirit of wine lamp has its cotton wick surmounted with a spiral coil of platinum wire, after lighting it for a little, it may be blown out, without ceasing to burn the alcohol; for the coil continues ignited, and a current of hot vapour continues to rise, as long as the spirit lasts. This vapour was first condensed and examined by Profe or Daniell, who called it lampic acid. It has a peculiar, strongly acid, burning taste, and a spec. grav. of 1·015. It po e es in an eminent degree the property of reducing certain metallic solutions; such as those of platinum, gold, and silver. The lampates may be prepared by saturating the above acid with the alkaline and earthy carbonates.