A System of Instruction in the Practical Use of the Blowpipe Part 25

Behavior

in gla.s.s-bulb. Gives off much water and tar, and leaves a porous cinder retaining the form of the original fragment.

on platinum foil. Burns slowly and without flame, leaving some ash.

Mineral. Asphaltum

Formula. C + H + O.

Behavior

in gla.s.s-bulb. Fuses with ease affording an empyreumatic oil having an alkaline reaction, and combustible ga.s.ses, and leaves a carbonaceous residue, which is entirely consumed under the blowpipe flame, except a little ash.

on platinum foil. Takes fire and burns with a bright flame and a thick smoke.

Mineral. Elaterite

Formula. C + H.

Behavior

in gla.s.s-bulb. Fuses and gives off water having an acid reaction, naphtha and a tarry fluid, which chiefly condense in the neck of the bulb, and leave a light, pulverulent carbonaceous residue.

on platinum foil. Fuses, takes fire, and burns with a smoky flame, leaving a carbonaceous residue, which under the blowpipe flame, is quickly consumed, with the exception of the ashes.

Mineral. Hachettine

Formula. C + H.

Behavior

in gla.s.s-bulb. Fuses to a clear colorless liquid, which solidifies on cooling and has a tallow-like smell.

on platinum foil. Fuses, takes fire, and burns with a bright flame until entirely consumed.

Mineral. Ozokerite

Formula. C + H.

Behavior

in gla.s.s-bulb. Fuses readily to a clear brown oily fluid, which solidifies on cooling.

on platinum foil. As the preceding.

Mineral. Amber

Formula. C + H + O.

Behavior

in gla.s.s-bulb. Fuses with difficulty, and affords water, an empyreumatic oil, and succinic acid which condense in the neck of the bulb leaving a s.h.i.+ning black residue.

on platinum foil. Takes fire and burns with a yellow flame and a peculiar aromatic odor.

Mineral. Mellite

Formula. [...Al][=M]^{3} + 15[.H]

Behavior

in gla.s.s-bulb. Gives off water. If heated to redness, is carbonized, and gives a slight empyreumatic odor.

on platinum foil. On charcoal burns to a white ash, which moistened with nitrate of cobalt and heated shows the alumina reaction.

POTASH.

Mineral. Nitre

Formula. [.K][.....N]

Behavior

(1) in gla.s.s-bulb. Fuses readily to a clear liquid and with a strong heat boils with the evolution of oxygen.

(2) in open tube. --

(3) on charcoal. Deflagrates leaving a saline ma.s.s, which is absorbed into charcoal and gives a sulphur reaction on silver.

(4) in forceps. On platinum wire fuses and colors the flame violet more or less modified by lime and soda.

(5) in borax. --