MERCURIFICATION, in metallurgic chem-
istry, the obtaining the mercury from metallic minerals
in its fluid form. For the effecting this, those who
have been engaged in these researches have proposed
three methods. The first is by means of a certain
mercury, so prepared as to have a dissolving power,
by which it could take up the mercuries of metals in
the same manner as water dissolves salt from ashes.
The second is by means of certain regenerating salts,
such as sal ammoniac, which are to detain the more
earthy parts of metals, and leave their mercuries se-
parate or separable from them by sublimation or other-
wise; and the third method is by means of a large lens
or burning-glass, in the focus whereof, if any metal be
applied, its mercurial part is said to separate and go off
in fume, which when collected and condensed, appears
to be running mercury.
The first of these methods would be very easy if the
proper mercury were to be readily produced; the se-
cond is extremely laborious, and requires much pa-
tience and reiteration. But the third seems easy e-
nough, and practicable to advantage, when a glass of
three or four feet in diameter is at hand, the sky serene,
and the sun shines strong.
For other processes, the reader may consult Junker's
Conspectus Chemicæ. But these mercurified metals, or
their mercurial principle rendered sensible, are a kind
of philosophical mercury, which, although they re-
semble ordinary mercury, are nevertheless said by per-
sons exercised in such studies, to differ from it con-
siderably, by having a greater specific gravity, by more
effectually penetrating and dissolving metals, by a
stronger adhesion to these, and by a less volatility.