A System of Instruction in the Practical Use of the Blowpipe Part 30

Mineral. Calespar

Formula. [.Ca][..C].

Behavior

(1) in gla.s.s-bulb. Turns white and sometimes decrepitates. Strongly heated loses CO^{2} and becomes caustic.

(2) in open tube. --

(3) on charcoal. Turns white, or brown if containing much iron or manganese and glows brilliantly.

(4) in forceps. Glows brilliantly, coloring the flame red.

Becomes caustic and shows a strong alkaline reaction.

(5) in borax. Dissolves with evolution of CO^{2} and when pure gives the lime-reaction. The bead is generally more or less colored by iron and manganese.

(6) in mic. salt. As in borax.

(7) with carb. soda. Fuses, and behaves as other lime-salts.

(8) Special reactions. Dissolves with effervescence in cold HCl.

Mineral. Fluorspar

Formula. CaFl

Behavior

(1) in gla.s.s-bulb. Phosph.o.r.esces with various colors, when heated in the dark.

(2) in open tube. --

(3) on charcoal. Fuses easily to a clear bead, which becomes opaque on cooling, then loses fluorine, glows brilliantly and becomes infusible.

(4) in forceps. As on charcoal. Colors the flame red.

(5) in borax. Gives the lime-reaction.

(6) in mic. salt. As in borax.

(7) with carb. soda. Fuses to a clear bead, opaque on cooling. With an addition of the alkali behaves as lime.

(8) Special reactions. With microcosmic salt in open tube gives the fluorine-reaction.

MAGNESIA.

Mineral. Brucite

Formula. [.Mg][.H].

Behavior

(1) in gla.s.s-bulb. Evolves water.

(2) in open tube. --

(3) on charcoal. --

(4) in forceps. V.

(5) in borax. Behaves as magnesia. Sometimes gives a faint iron-reaction.

(6) in mic. salt. As in borax.

(7) with carb. soda. Behaves as magnesia.

(8) Special reactions. With nitrate of cobalt, gives the magnesia reaction

Mineral. Epsomite

Formula. [.Mg][...S] + 7[.H].

Behavior

(1) in gla.s.s-bulb. Evolves water having an acid reaction on test paper.

(2) in open tube. --

(3) on charcoal. Gives of HO and SO^{3}, s.h.i.+nes brilliantly, and becomes alkaline and caustic.

(4) in forceps. V. As on charcoal.

(5) in borax. Behaves as magnesia.

(6) in mic. salt. As in borax.

(7) with carb. soda. The alkali is absorbed leaving the magnesia on surface of the charcoal. Gives the sulphur-reaction on silver.