Vial

A vial (Latin fiola, Greek φιάλη phiale " shell ", " broad bottomed vessel " ) is a pear-shaped glass vessel with a long, narrow neck, which was already used by the alchemists of antiquity. However, in contrast to most bulb shapes vials have no distinct ground that would allow a free standing, since they are around the bottom.

Today vials are mainly used in chemistry and medicine, a similar use test tubes. Partial larger vials are also used for storage of perfumes and liquors.

The term vial is colloquially used only rarely. Known from the literature is the vial by:

• The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates died, according to tradition by taking poison from a vial (see hemlock ).
• In Shakespeare's Hamlet Hamlet's father has been murdered by the fact that it was poured from a vial poison into the ears. ( Act 1, Scene 5, line 63 )
• Goethe's Faust I: "I greet you, you only vial " (verse 690 ), Faust II: "Even in the innermost vial it glows like a living coal. " (V. 6824 ).
• Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: "Given the zerpressten vial in his hand and the strong bitter almond smell that hung in the air, knew Utterson that he had the body of a suicide in front of him. "
• In Tolkien's Lord of the Rings Frodo Baggins Galadriel gives a vial with the light of Eärendil. With this vial the spider Shelob was blinded and finally defeated.

• Laboratory apparatus
• Glass vessel