SOOT, a volatile matter arising from wood and other
fuel along with the smoke; or rather, it is the smoke
itself condensed and gathered to the sides of the chim-
ney. Though once volatile, however, soot cannot be
again resolved into vapour; but, if distilled by a strong
fire, yields a volatile alkali and empyreumatic oil, a con-
siderable quantity of fixed matter remaining at the bot-
tom of the distilling vessel. If burnt in an open fire, it
flames with a thick smoke, whence other soot is produ-
ced. It is used as a material for making sal ammoniac,
and as a manure. See AMMONIA, muriate of, CHE-
MISTRY Index.