TABULAR STATEMENT OF THE REACTIONS OF MINERALS BEFORE THE BLOWPIPE.

Go to TOC

In PART THIRD of this work, commencing at page 109, the student will find a sufficiently explicit description of the blowpipe reactions of those principal substances that would be likely to come beneath his attention. The following tabular statement of those reactions—which we take from Scheerer and Blanford's excellent little work upon the blowpipe—will be of great benefit, as a vehicle for consultation, when the want of time—or during the hurry of an examination—precludes the attentive perusal of the more lengthy descriptions in the text.

In the examination of minerals, before the student avails himself of the aid of the blowpipe, he should not neglect to examine the specimen rigidly in relation to its physical characters, such as its hardness, lustre, color, and peculiar crystallization. It is where the difference of two minerals cannot be distinguished by their physical appearance, that the aid of the blowpipe comes in most significantly as an auxiliary. For instance, the two minerals molybdenite and graphite resemble each other very closely, when examined in regard to their physical appearance, but the blowpipe will quickly discriminate them, for if a small piece of the former mineral be placed in the flame of oxidation, a bright green color will be communicated to the flame beyond it, while in the latter there will be no color. Thus, in a very short time, these two minerals can be distinguished from each other by aid of the blowpipe, while no amount of physical examination could determine that point. The blowpipe is equally an indispensable instrument in the determination of certain minerals which may exist in others as essential or non-essential constituents of them. For instance, should a minute quantity of manganese be present in a mineral, it must be fused with twice its bulk of a mixture of two parts of carbonate of soda, and one part of the nitrate of potassa, in the flame of oxidation upon platinum foil. The manganate of soda thus formed will color the fused mass of a bluish-green tint.

Or a slight quantity of arsenic may be discerned by the following process recommended by Plattner:[4] one grain of the finely pulverized metal is mixed with six grains of citrate of potassa, and slowly heated on the platinum spoon. By this means the metals are oxidized, while the arseniate of potassa is obtained. Then boil the fused mass in a small quantity of water in a porcelain vessel till all tho arseniate is dissolved. The metallic oxides are allowed to subside, and the above solution decanted off into another porcelain vessel. A few drops of sulphuric acid are added, and the solution boiled to expel the nitric acid, after which it is evaporated to dryness. In this operation, the sulphuric acid should be added only in sufficient quantity to drive off the nitric acid, or, at the utmost, to form a bisulphate with the excess of potassa. When dry, the salt thus obtained is pulverized in an agate mortar, and mixed with about three times its volume of oxalate of potassa, and a little charcoal powder. The mixture is introduced into a glass bulb having a narrow neck, and gently warmed over a spirit-lamp in order to drive off the moisture, which must be absorbed by a piece of blotting-paper in the neck of the bulb. After a short time, the temperature is increased to a low red heat, at which the arsenious acid is reduced and the metallic arsenic sublimed, and which re-condenses in the neck of the bulb. If there the arsenic be so small in quantity as to exhibit no metallic lustre, the neck of the bulb may be cut off with a file immediately above the sublimate, and the latter exposed to the flame of the blowpipe, when the arsenic is volatilized, and may be recognized by its garlic odor.

If the presence of cadmium is suspected in zinc-blende, it may be detected by fusing a small piece of the blende upon charcoal in carbonate of soda. The peculiar bright yellow sublimate of the oxide of cadmium, if it be present, will not fail to indicate it. This incrustation can be easily distinguished from that of zinc. Thus, with the three illustrations we have given, the student will readily comprehend the great utility of the blowpipe in the examination of minerals.

Although the following tables were not arranged especially for the last part of this work, still this arrangement is so good that by their consultation the student will readily comprehend at a glance what requires some detail to explain, and we feel no hesitation in saying that, although they are not very copious, they will not fail to impart a vast amount of information, if consulted with any degree of carefulness.

The minerals given are such as are best known to English and American mineralogists under the names specified. For more detailed reactions than could be crowded into a table, the student will have to consult the particular substance as treated in Part Third. If this part is perused carefully previous to consulting the tables, these will be found eminently serviceable as a refresher of the memory, and may thus save much time and trouble.

And, finally, we would certainly recommend the student, after he shall have gone through our little volume (if he is ambitious of making himself a thorough blowpipe analyst), to then take up the larger works of Berzelius and Plattner, for our treatise pretends to nothing more than a humble introduction to these more copious and scientific works.

Mineral.Formula.
Behavior in glass-bulb.on platinum foil.
DiamondC
—In fine powder is slowly consumed without residue in a strong oxidizing Flame.
Graphite C with some iron silica, etc.
Generally gives off water. Is slowly consumed leaving more or less ash, principally Fe2O3.
Anthracite      .
C + xH
Evolves water. Is slowly consumed with the exception of a small quantity of ash.
Wallsend-coal C, H, O, S and ash.
Intumesces and gives off water and tarry matters which partly condense in bulb, and leave a porous coke. Takes fire under blowpipe flame, and burns with a smoky flame, depositing much soot and leaving a porous cinder which burns slowly and leaves a small ash.
Cannel-coal C, H, N, O, S and ash.
As the preceding but gives off more tar.Similar to the preceding. If held to the lamp-flame, takes fire and burns for some seconds.
Brown-coal C, H, N, O, S, and ash.
Gives off much water and tar, and leaves a porous cinder retaining the form of the original fragment. Burns slowly and without flame, leaving some ash.
Asphaltum C + H + O.
Fuses with ease affording an empyreumatic oil having an alkaline reaction, and combustible gasses, and leaves a carbonaceous residue, which is entirely consumed under the blowpipe flame, except a little ash. Takes fire and burns with a bright flame and a thick smoke.
Elaterite C + H.
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. 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.
Hachettine C + H.
Fuses to a clear colorless liquid, which solidifies on cooling and has a tallow-like smell. Fuses, takes fire, and burns with a bright flame until entirely consumed.
Ozokerite C + H.
Fuses readily to a clear brown oily fluid, which solidifies on cooling.As the preceding.
Amber C + H + O.
Fuses with difficulty, and affords water, an empyreumatic oil, and succinic acid which condense in the neck of the bulb leaving a shining black residue. Takes fire and burns with a yellow flame and a peculiar aromatic odor.
Mellite ...       .
 AlM3 + 15H
Gives off water. If heated to redness, is carbonized, and gives a slight empyreumatic odor. On charcoal burns to a white ash, which moistened with nitrate of cobalt and heated shows the alumina reaction.

POTASH.

Go to TOC

Mineral.Formula.
(1) in glass bulb.(2) in open tube.(3) on charcoal.(4) in forceps. (5) in borax.(6) in mic. salt.(7) in carb. soda.(8) Special Reactions.
Nitre   ...
. ..
K N
Fuses readily to a clear liquid and with a strong heat boils with the evolution of oxygen. — Deflagrates leaving a saline mass, which is absorbed into charcoal and gives a sulphur reaction on silver. On platinum wire fuses and colors the flame violet more or less modified by lime and soda. — — — With bisulphate of potassa in the glass-bulb evolves nitrous fumes.
Polyhalite . ...  . ...   . ...  .
K S  + MgS  + 2CaS + 2H
Gives off water. — Fuses to a reddish bead, which in the reducing flame solidifies and shrinks to a hollow crust. On platinum wire fuses and colors the flame yellow from a small quantity of soda. Dissolves with ebullition to a clear glass, which is slightly colored by iron, and when saturated become opaque on cooling. As in borax. Fuses. The alkalies are absorbed by the charcoal leaving the lime and magnesia infusible on the surface. The alkaline mass when laid on silver gives a sulphur reaction.

SODA.

Go to TOC

Mineral.Formula.
(1) in glass bulb.(2) in open tube.(3) on charcoal.(4) in forceps. (5) in borax.(6) in mic. salt.(7) in carb. soda.(8) Special Reactions.
Rock-salt NaCl.
Fuses to a clear liquid. — Fuses, is absorbed by the charcoal and partially volatilized incrusting the charcoal around. Fuses with great ease and colors the flame yellow. — — — Gives the chlorine reactions.
Natron . ..    .
NaC + 10H
Fuses, with the evolution of water. — Fuses, and is absorbed into the pores of the charcoal. Fuses and behaves as the preceding. — — — Dissolves in acid with violent effervescence.
Soda-nitre   ...
. ..
NaN.
Fuses and if strongly heated evolves nitrous fumes. — Deflagrates and is absorbed into the charcoal. Deflagrates on platinum wire, coloring the flame yellow. — — — In a glass-bulb with bisulphate of potassa, gives the NO5-reaction.
Glauber-salt . ...    .
NaS  + 10H.
Fuses and gives off water having a neutral reaction. — Fuses, and is absorbed by the charcoal. The saturated charcoal laid upon silver gives the sulphur reaction Fuses and colors the flame yellow. — — — Gives the SO3-reaction.
Glauberite . ...  . ...
NaS  + CaS.
Decrepitates with the evolution of more or less water, and when strongly heated fuses to a clear liquid. — Fuses to a clear bead, then spreads out; the soda is absorbed and the lime left on the surface. Laid on silver, the fused mass gives a sulphur reaction. Fuses easily to a clear glass, coloring the flame yellow. Fuses easily and gives the lime reaction. As in borax. As alone in charcoal. As in preceding.
Borax . ...    .
NaB2 + 10H.
Intumesces with the evolution of water, and under a strong heat fuses. — Intumesces and fuses to a clear bead more or less colored by impurities. As on charcoal. — — Fuses to a clear bead, which becomes crystalline on cooling. Gives the boracic-acid-reaction.
Cryolite 3NaFl+Al2Fl3.
Decrepitates slightly and gives a trace of water. If heated so that the flame be allowed to play up the tube upon the mineral, flourine is evolved, which corrodes the interior of the tube. Fuses to a limpid bead, which on cooling becomes a white enamel. If heated for some time, it bubbles, gives off fluorine and becomes infusible. Fuses, coloring the flame yellow. Dissolves to a clear bead, which is rendered opaque by a large addition. As in borax. Fuses to a clear bead, then spreads out on the charcoal, the soda is absorbed, and an infusible mass of alumina remains. If the alumina residue obtained be moistened with cobalt solution and heated strongly, it assumes a beautiful blue color.

BARYTA AND STRONTIA.

Go to TOC

Mineral.Formula.
(1) in glass bulb.(2) in open tube.(3) on charcoal.(4) in forceps. (5) in borax.(6) in mic. salt.(7) in carb. soda.(8) Special Reactions.
Heavy-spar . ...
BaS.
Sometimes decrepitates and gives off more or less water — Fuses in the reducing flame. Fuses with difficulty on edges. Colors the outer flame green. In reducing flame forms BaS, which fuses readily. Gives the baryta-reaction. As in borax. Fuses to a clear bead; then spreads out and is absorbed into the charcoal. The fused mass laid on silver gives the S-reaction. If fused with potassa on platinum, gives the SO3-reaction.
Celestine . ...
SrS.
— — Fuses to a milk-white bead. Colors the flame crimson. Gives the strontia-reaction. As in borax. Similar to the preceding. Similar to the preceding.
Witherite . ..
BaC.
Decrepitates more or less and evolves Water. — Fuses, effervesces, and is partially absorbed by the charcoal. Colors the outer flame intensely green. Dissolves with effervescence and gives the baryta-reaction. As in borax. Fuses to a clear bead; then spreads out and passes into the charcoal. In dilute HCl dissolves with much effervescence.
Strontianite . ..
SrC.
Becomes opaque. — As in the forceps. Exfoliates and becomes arborescent. The filaments glow brilliantly and fuse on the point. Colors the flame brilliantly crimson. Resembles the preceding. As in borax. As the preceding. As the preceding.
Barytocalcite. . ..  . ..
BaC + CaC.
As in the preceding. — In powder frits together, but does not fuse. Colors the flame green in the centre and red towards the point. Dissolves with effervescence. In large quantities gives a semi-crystalline bead. As in borax, but the saturated bead is milk-white. Fuses, and is partially absorbed leaving the lime on the surface. As witherite.

LIME.

Go to TOC

Mineral.Formula.
(1) in glass bulb.(2) in open tube.(3) on charcoal.(4) in forceps. (5) in borax.(6) in mic. salt.(7) in carb. soda.(8) Special Reactions.
Gypsum . ...   .
CaS  + 2H.
Turns white, giving off water and being converted into plaster of Paris. — In the reducing flame forms CaS, which has an alkaline reaction on test paper, and gives a sulphur-reaction when laid on silver and moistened. Fuses with difficulty to a bead, coloring the flame red. Dissolves to a clear bead, which gives the lime-reaction. As in borax. Behaves as lime. The alkaline mass laid on silver and moistened gives the sulphur-reaction. Gives the sulphuric-acid reaction.
Apatite            ...
. {Cl    .  ..
Ca{—— + 3Ca3P
  {Fl
Occasionally decrepitates and gives off some water. — — IV.
Previously dipped in SO3 colors the flame green, afterwards red.		 Dissolves easily and when in some quantity gives an opaline bead. Gives the lime-reaction. Is infusible. The alkali is absorbed, leaving the lime on the on the surface of the charcoal. With microcosmic salt and oxide of copper, gives the chlorine-reaction. With microcosmic salt in the open tube evolves fluorine.
Pharmacolite .  ...    .
Ca2As  + 6H.
Gives off water, and emits an arsenical odor. — Fuses to an opaque bead and emits a strong smell of arsenic. Fuses to a translucent violet colored bead, the color being due to cobalt. Colors the flame blue at first, then faintly red. Dissolves readily to a bead strongly colored by cobalt, which obscures the lime-reaction. As in borax. Fuses, and emits As. The alkali is then absorbed by the charcoal, as in the preceding. —
Calespar . ..
CaC.
Turns white and sometimes decrepitates. Strongly heated loses CO2 and becomes caustic. — Turns white, or brown if containing much iron or manganese and glows brilliantly. Glows brilliantly, coloring the flame red. Becomes caustic and shows a strong alkaline reaction. Dissolves with evolution of CO2 and when pure gives the lime-reaction. The bead is generally more or less colored by iron and manganese. As in borax. Fuses, and behaves as other lime-salts. Dissolves with effervescence in cold HCl.
Fluorspar CaFl
Phosphoresces with various colors, when heated in the dark. — Fuses easily to a clear bead, which becomes opaque on cooling, then loses fluorine, glows brilliantly and becomes infusible. As on charcoal. Colors the flame red. Gives the lime-reaction. As in borax. Fuses to a clear bead, opaque on cooling. With an addition of the alkali behaves as lime. With microcosmic salt in open tube gives the fluorine-reaction.

MAGNESIA.

Go to TOC

Mineral.Formula.
(1) in glass bulb.(2) in open tube.(3) on charcoal.(4) in forceps. (5) in borax.(6) in mic. salt.(7) in carb. soda.(8) Special Reactions.
Brucite . .
MgH.
Evolves water. — — V. Behaves as magnesia. Sometimes gives a faint iron-reaction. As in borax. Behaves as magnesia. With nitrate of cobalt, gives the magnesia reaction
Epsomite . ...   .
MgS  + 7H.
Evolves water having an acid reaction on test paper. — Gives of HO and SO3, shines brilliantly, and becomes alkaline and caustic. V.
As on charcoal.		 Behaves as magnesia. As in borax. The alkali is absorbed leaving the magnesia on surface of the charcoal. Gives the sulphur-reaction on silver. The magnesian residue obtained on treating with carbonate of soda (7), assumes a flesh-tint, when treated with cobalt.
Boracite . ...    . ...
MgB2  + 2MgB.
Occasionally gives off a trace of water. — Fuses with intumescence to a white crystalline bead. I.
As on charcoal. Colors the flame green.		 Fuses easily to a clear bead, which is crystalline, when containing much of the mineral, and is usually slightly tinted by iron. As in borax. With a small quantity of alkali fuses to a clear bead on cooling. With a larger quantity gives a clear, uncrystallizable bead. —
Magnesite . ..
MgC.
Sometimes gives off a small quantity of water. — Is infusible. With cobalt-solution, assumes a dusky flesh tint. — Behaves as magnesia. Sometimes a slight iron-reaction. As in borax. Fuses to a bead, the soda is then absorbed, leaving an infusible mass of magnesia. The magnesian residue obtained by fusing with carbonate of soda gives the magnesian-reaction with nitrate of cobalt. Dissolves with effervescence in warm HCl.
Mesitine spar  . . .  ..
(MgFeMn)C.
As magnesite. — Is infusible. Assumes a deep brown color. V. Gives the iron and manganese-reaction. As in borax. As magnesite, but the residual mass has a dark color from iron and manganese. Dissolves with effervescense in warm HCl. With carbonate of soda and nitre gives a manganese-reaction.

ALUMINA.

Go to TOC

Mineral.Formula.
(1) in glass bulb.(2) in open tube.(3) on charcoal.(4) in forceps. (5) in borax.(6) in mic. salt.(7) in carb. soda.(8) Special Reactions.
Sapphire
Corundum
Emery		 ...
Al.
— — — V. In fine powder dissolves slowly to a colorless glass. As in borax. — In fine powder moistened with cobalt-solution and heated yields a blue color.
Websterite . ...   .
AlS  + 9H.
Gives off water, and, when heated to incipient redness, sulphurous acid. — Gives off water and SO3, leaving an infusible mass. V. Behaves as alumina. As in borax. Yields an infusible mass, which laid on silver and moistened, produces a black stain. Fused with potassa in platinum has no action on silver. Cobalt-solution produces the alumina reaction.
Native Alum . ...  . ...    .
R S  + AlS3 + 24H.
Intumesces greatly and gives off much water. Strongly heated, evolves SO3, which reddens litmus. — Intumesces and become infusible. V.
Colors the flame violet if a potassa alum—yellow if soda—be present. 		Dissolves and gives the iron and manganese reaction, if these oxides be present. Otherwise the bead is colorless. As in borax. The alkali is absorbed into the charcoal, leaving an infusible mass which gives the sulfur reaction on silver. If not containing too much iron or manganese gives an alumina reaction with nitrate of of cobalt. In other respects as the preceding.
Turquoise    ...
.  ..   .
Al2P + 5H.
Evolves water, occasionally decrepitates and turns black. — Turns brown, but remains infusible. V.
As on charcoal. Colors the outer flame green.		 In the oxidizing flame, gives a green bead, due to copper and iron. In reducing flame, opaque red. As in borax. Intumesces, then fuses to a semi-clear glass colored by iron. With more alkali yields an infusible mass. Gives the phosphoric-acid reaction.
Wavellite             ...
        ... ..     .
AlF3 + 3(Al4P3 + 18H.)
Evolves water and some fluorine, which attacks the glass. — Exfoliates and turns white. V.
As on charcoal. Colors the outer flame green, especially if moistened with SO3.		 As alumina. Generally gives also a slight iron reaction. As in borax. Forms an infusible white mass. With cobalt-solution on charcoal gives the alumina reaction.
Spinel . ...
R Al.
— — — V. Gives a slight iron reaction. As in borax. Fuses partially and forms a porous mass. With nitrate of cobalt gives the alumina reaction. With nitre and carbonate of soda a slight manganese reaction.

SILICATES.

Go to TOC

The presence of silica in a mineral can easily be ascertained by treating a small fragment in a bead of microcosmic salt. The bases will dissolve out with more or less difficulty in the salt, and the silica being insoluble will remain suspended in the bead, retaining the original form of the fragment. In borax, the silicates of lime and magnesia generally dissolve with considerable ease, but those of alumina slowly and with difficulty. The silicates of lime are moreover frequently characterized by intumescence or ebullition, when heated in the forceps in the blowpipe flame. The minerals presenting this character are marked in the table. As the most convenient mode of classifying the silicates for blowpipe examination, the following arrangement will be adopted:

TABLE I.—ANHYDROUS SILICATES.

TABLE II.—HYDROUS SILICATES.

FUSIBILITY.

  1. Readily fusible to a bead.
  2. With difficulty fusible to a bead.
  3. Readily fusible on the edges.
  4. With difficulty fusible on the edges.
  5. Infusible.

This classification of minerals, according to their fusibility and their behavior with carbonate of soda, was originally proposed by Berzelius, and a table of the principal oxidized minerals arranged according to these characters is given in his handbook of the blowpipe, and thence adopted, with some alterations by Plattner, in the very excellent and detailed work already many times cited. In the following general table I., the more important silicates only are included, and in table II. are enumerated in alphabetical order those which afford characteristic reactions.

TABLE I.

Anhydrous Silicates.

Fus. alone and with NaC.

Mineral.Formula.
I.
a.Axinite  . .    ... ...      ... ... ...  ... ...
(CaMg)3 ( B Si )3 + ( Al  Fe  Mn)2( Si B )		Int.
Elaolite  . .  ...     ... ...
(KNa)3Si + 3  Al  Si		Int.
Garnet . ...   . ...
R3Si  + R Si
Oligoclase . ...   ... ...
NaSi  + Al Si2
Scapolite  . .   ...    ... ...
(CaNa)3Si2 + 2 Al Si		Int.
Spodumene  . .  ...   ... ...
(LiNa)3Si2 + 4 AlSi2Int.
b.Asbestos to II.As Hornblende
Augite some var.  . . . .   ...
(CaMgFeMn)3Si2		Int.
Epidote to III.  .     ...    ... ... ... ...
(CaFe)3Si + 2( Al Fe  Mn )Si		Int.
Hornblende some var.  . . .       ... ...
(CaMgFe)4 + ( Si Al )3		Int.
Sodalite to III. .  ...   ... ...
Na3Si + 3 Al Si + NaCl		Int.
Vesuvian   . .   ...    ... ... ...
3(CaMg)3Si + 2( Al Fe )Si		Int.
c.Biaxial Mica to III. . ...    ... ... ...
K Si + 4( Al Fe )Si
Hauyne  . .  ...   ... ...  . ...
(KNa)3Si + 3 Al Si + NaSi
Tourmaline to V.  . ... ...  ...
(R  R  B )4 Si3		Int.
II.
a.Labradorite  . . . ...   ... ...  ...
(CaNaK)Si + ( Al Fe)  Si
Lepidolite           ... ... ...
(KNaL)F + (Al Fe) Si2?
Ryacolite . ...  ... ...
K Si +  Al Si2
Albite . ...  ... ...
NaSi +  Al Si3
b.Augite some var. . ...
R3Si2
Actinolite  . . .   ...
(CaMgFe)4Si3		Int
Diopside  . .   ...
(CaMg)3Si2
Humboltilite   . . . . ...   ... ... ...
2(CaMgNaK)Si + ( Al Fe )Si
SahliteAs Augite
Tremolite  . .   ...
(CaMg)4Si3
c.Pyrope  . . .   ... ... ...   ...
(CaMgFe)3Si + Al Si + mCr?
III.
a.Anorthite  . . . .  ...    ... ... ...
(CaMgNaK)3Si + 3( Al Fe )Si
Nepheline  . . .  ...   ... ...
(NaKCa)2Si + 2 Al Si
Obsidian ... ... ... .   . .  .
Si, Al, Fe, Fe, CaNaK		Int.
Orthoclase  . . ...  ... ...
(KNa)Si +  Al Si3
Petalite  . .   ...    ... ...
(LiNa)3Si4 + 4 Al Si4
Pumice ... ...  .  .   .   .
Si, Al, Ca, K, Na, H		Int.
b.Gadolinite to V.  . . . . .  ...
(YCeLaFeCa)3Si
Nephrite  . . .   ...
(CaMgFe)4Si3?		Int.
Wollastonite .  ...
Ca3Si2
c.Iolite  . .   ...    ... ...
(MgFe)3Si2 + 3 Al Si
IV.
a.Beryl ... ...  ... ...
 Be Si2 + Al Si2
b.Diallage  . . .    ... ...
(CaMgFe)3( Si Al)2
Hypersthene  . .   ...
(MgFe)3Si2
c.Fuchsite  . ...      ... ... ...
(K5Si )2 + 9( Al Cr)6Si6
V.
a.Leucite . ...   ... ...
K3Si2 +  Al Si2
b. Chondrodite   .   .    ...
(Mg, MgF)4( SiSiF3)
Olivine  . . .   ...
(MgFeCa)2Si
c.Andalusite  ... ... ...
( Al Fe)3Si2
Chrysoberyl ...  ...
Be + Al
Kaynite ... ...
 Al3Si2
Pycnite
Topaz		  ... ...     ...
6Al 3Si2 + (3 AlF3 + 2SiF3)
Zircon ... ... 
 Zr Si
Staurolite ... ...  ...
(Al Fe)2 Si
Hydrous Silicates.

Fus. alone and with NaC.

Mineral.Formula.
I.
a.Analcime. ...    ... ...    .
Na3Si2 + 3Al Si2 + 6H		Int.
Apophyllite  .     ...          . ...    .
(K,KF)(Si, SiF3) + 6CaSi + 15H		Int.
Brewsterite  . .  ...  ... ...    .
(SrBa)Si +  Al Si3 + 5H		Int.
Chabasite  .  .  .  ...   ... ...     .
(Ca,Na,K)3Si + 3 Al Si2 + 18H		Int.
Lapis Lazuli ... ... ... ...  .   .  .
Si, S,  Al, Fe, Ca, Na, H
Laumonite .  ...    ... ...    .
Ca3Si2 + 3 Al Si2 + 12H		Int.
Mesotype  . .  ... ... ...   .
(NaCa)Si + Al Si + 3H		Int.
Natrolite . ...  ... ...   .
NaSi +  Al Si + 2H		Int.
Prehnite .  ...  ... ...  .
Ca2Si +  Al Si + H		Int.
Scolezite . ...  ... ...   .
CaSi +  Al Si + 3H		Int.
Thomsonite  . .   ...   ... ...   .
(CaNa)3Si + 3 Al Si + 7H		Int.
Datholite  .  ... ... ...   .
2Ca3Si + B3 Si2 + 3H		Int.
Heulandite . ...  ... ...   .
CaSi + Al Si3 + 5H		Int.
Stilbite . ...  ... ...   .
CaSi + Al Si3 + 6H		Int.
b.Okenite .  ...    .
Ca3Si4 + 6H		Int.
Pectolite  . .   ...   .
(CaNa)4Si3 + H		Int.
c.Saponite  .  ...  ... ...         .
2Mg3Si2 + Al Si + 10 or 6H
II.
a.Antrimolite   . . ...   ... ...    .
3(CaK)Si + 5 Al Si + 15H
Harmatome . ...  ... ...   .
BaSi +  Al S2 + 5H
b.Brevicite . ...  ... ...   .
NaSi +  Al Si + 2H
Orthite . ...  ... ...   .
R3Si +   R Si + (H?)		Int.
III.
c.Pitchstone ... ... ... . .  . .
Si, Al, Fe, MgNa, KH
Talc to V. .  ...    .
Mg6Si5 + 2H
Chlorite   . .   ...   ... ...  ...   .
3(MgFe)3Si + ( Al Fe )2Si + 9H
Pinite ... ... .   .  .   .
Si, Al, Fe, K, Mg, H
IV.
a.Steatite .  ...    .
Mg6Si5 + 4H
c.Gilbertite ... ... .   .   .
Si, Al, Fe, Mg, H		Int.
Meerschaum . ...  .
MgSi + H
Serpentine .  ...    .
Mg9Si4 + 6H
V.
a.Gismondine  . .  ...   ... ...   .
(CaK)2Si + 2 Al Si + 9H

TABLE II.

Go to TOC

AnalcimeIf transparent becomes white and opaque when heated, but on incipient fusion resumes its transparency and then fuses to a clear glass.
AndalusiteWhen powdered and treated with cobalt solution on charcoal, assumes a blue color.
ApophylliteFuses to a frothy white glass.
AxiniteImparts a green color to the blowpipe flame, owing to the presence of boracic acid. This reaction is especially distinct, if the mineral be previously mixed with fluorspar and bisulphate of potassa.
BerylSometimes gives a chromium reaction in borax and microcosmic salt.
ChabasiteFuses to a white enamel.
ChondroditeEvolves fluorine in the glass tube, both when heated alone and with microcosmic salt. It sometimes also gives off a trace of water.
ChrysoberylIs unattacked by carbonate of soda. With nitrate of cobalt on charcoal the finely powdered mineral assumes a blue color.
DatholiteFuses to a clear glass and colors the flame green.
DiallageFrequently gives off water in small quantity.
FuchsiteGives the chromium reaction with borax and microcosmic salt.
GadoliniteThat from Hitteroe, if heated in a partially covered platinum spoon to low redness, glows suddenly and brilliantly.
Hauyne Affords the sulphur reaction both on charcoal and when fused with potassa. It contains both sulphur and sulphuric acid.
HyperstheneAs Diallage.
KyaniteAs Andalusite.
Lapis LazuliFuses to a white glass, and when treated with carbonate of soda on charcoal, gives the sulphur reaction on silver.
LaumoniteWhen strongly heated, exfoliates and curls up.
LepidoliteColors the blowpipe flame crimson, from lithia; also gives the fluorine reaction with microcosmic salt.
LeuciteSome varieties, when treated with cobalt solution, assume a blue color.
MeerschaumIn the glass bulb frequently blackens and evolves an empyreumatic odor due to organic matter. When this is burnt off, it again becomes white, and if moistened with nitrate of cobalt solution and heated, assumes a pink color.
OkeniteBehaves as Apophyllite.
OlivineSome varieties give off fluorine, when fused with microcosmic salt.
PectoliteSimilar to Apophyllite.
PetaliteImparts a slight crimson color to the flame, like Lepidolite.
PrehniteAs Chabasite.
PycniteAssumes a blue color, when treated with nitrate of cobalt. Gives the fluorine reaction with microcosmic salt.
PyropeGives the chromium reaction with borax and microcosmic salt.
ScoleciteSimilar to Laumonite, but more marked.
ScapoliteOccasionally contains a small quantity of lithia, and colors the flame red when fused with fluorspar and bisulphate of potassa.
SodaliteIf mixed with one-fifth its volume of oxide of copper, moistened to make the mixture cohere, and a small portion placed upon charcoal and heated with the blue oxidizing flame, the outer flame will be colored intensely blue from chloride of copper.
SpodumeneWhen not too strongly heated, colors the blowpipe flame red, when more strongly, yellow.
StilbiteAs Chabasite.
TopazWhen heated, remains clear. Otherwise as Pycnite.
TourmalineGives the boracic acid reaction with flourspar and bisulphate of potassa.
WollastoniteColors the blowpipe flame faintly red from lime.
ZirconThe colored varieties become white or colorless and transparent, when heated. Is only slightly attacked by carbonate of soda.

URANIUM.

Go to TOC

Mineral.Formula.
(1) in glass bulb.(2) in open tube.(3) on charcoal.(4) in forceps. (5) in borax.(6) in mic. salt.(7) in carb. soda.(8) Special Reactions.
Pitchblende . ...
U U essentially.
Evolves some water and a small quantity of sulphur, sulphide of arsenic and metallic arsenic. Evolves SO2 and a white sublimate of arsenious acid. Gives off arsenical fumes. III. Colors the flame blue beyond the assay, owing to the presence of Pb. Sometimes also green towards the point, due to Cu. The roasted mineral affords the uranium reaction. As borax. Also a small residue of silica. Infusible. Affords the characteristic Pb incrustation, and sometimes yields minute particles of Cu. —
Uranium ochre ... .
 U  H2.
Evolves water and assumes a red color. — V.
In reducing flame assumes a green color. 		— Gives the uranium reaction. As in borax. — —
Uranite          ...
 .   ... ..   .
(Ca + U2)P + 8H.
Evolves water and becomes yellow and opaque. — Fuses with intumescence to a black bead having a semi-crystalline surface. — Gives the uranium reaction. As in borax. Forms an infusible yellow slag. Gives the PO5 reaction.
Chalcolite          ...
 .   ... ..   .
(Cu + U2)P + 8H.
As uranite. — As uranite. As uranite. In the oxidizing flame gives a green bead, which in the reducing flame becomes of an opaque red, from Cu. As in borax. In reducing flame yields a metallic bead of Cu. As uranite.

IRON.

Go to TOC

Mineral.Formula.
(1) in glass bulb.(2) in open tube.(3) on charcoal.(4) in forceps. (5) in borax.(6) in mic. salt.(7) in carb. soda.(8) Special Reactions.
Iron pyrites FeS2.
Gives a considerable yellow sublimate of sulphur, and sometimes sulphide of arsenic. Also HS. Sulphurous acid and sometimes arsenious acid are evolved. Gives off some sulphur, which burns with a blue flame. Residue fuses to a magnetic bead. — The roasted mineral gives a strong iron reaction. As in borax. Fuses to a black mass, which spreads out on charcoal and gives the sulphur reaction on silver. —
Magnetic pyrites ,  ,,,
Fe5Fe.
— Evolves sulphurous acid. Fuses to a magnetic bead black on the surface, and with a yellow shining fracture. — As iron pyrites. As in borax. As iron pyrites. —
Mispickel FeAs + FeS2.
A red sublimate of AsS2 is first formed and then a black sublimate of metallic arsenic. Sulphurous and arsenious acids are evolved, the latter forming a white sublimate. Gives off much arsenic forming a white incrustation and fuses to a magnetic globule. — As iron pyrites. As in borax. As iron pyrites. —
Magnetic iron ore Fe3O4
— — — In the blue flame, fuses on edges and remains magnetic. Gives the iron reaction. As in borax. — —
Specular iron
Red haematite		 Fe2O3
— — — V.
In the blue flame is converted into Fe2O4, and then behaves as the preceding.		 As magnetic iron ore. As in borax. — —
Göthite ... .
Fe H.
Evolves water. — — As specular iron. As specular iron. As in borax. — —
Franklinite  . . .  ... ...
(FeZnMn)(Fe Mn).
— — Forms a white incrustation on the charcoal, which moistened with cobalt solution assumes a green color. V.
In the blue flame fuses on edges and and becomes magnetic.		 Gives the iron and manganese reaction. As in borax. Affords a considerable white incrustation of ZnO. Gives a strong manganese reaction with nitre and carbonate of soda.
Ilmenite ...    ...
Ti and Fe.
— — — V.
In reducing flame fuses on edges and becomes magnetic.		 Gives the iron reaction. In oxidizing flame exhibits the iron reaction. In reducing flame assumes a deep brownish red color. — —
Chromic iron . ...
FeCr.
— — — As the preceding. Dissolves slowly and gives the chromium reaction. As in borax. On platinum foil with nitre and carbonate of soda affords a yellow mass of chromate of potassa. —
Lievrite   . .   ...  ... ...
3(FeCa)3Si + 2Fe Si.
Occasionally gives off some water and turns black. — Fuses to a black globule, which in the reducing flame becomes magnetic. I.
In reducing flame is magnetic.		 Gives the iron reaction. Gives the iron and silica reactions. Fuses to a black opaque bead. Generally gives the manganese reaction with nitre and carbonate of soda.
Chloropal ... ...    .
 Fe Si2 + 3H.
Decrepitates more or less, gives off much water and turns black. — — V.
Loses color and turns black.		 Gives the iron reaction. Gives the iron and silica reaction. Fuses to a transparent green glass. —
Green earth ...  .  ...  .  .  .
Si, Fe, Al, Na, K, H, etc.
Gives off water and becomes darker in color. — — V.
In reducing flame fuses on edges and colors the outer flame yellow
.
(Na)
or violet
.
(K).		 As the preceding. As the preceding. Forms a slaggy mass. —
Siderite . ..
FeC.
Occasionally decrepitates. Gives off CO2 and turns black and magnetic. — As in glass bulb. Behaves similarly to the magnetic oxide. Gives the iron and manganese reaction. As in borax. Behaves as an oxide. With nitre and carbonate of soda on platinum generally gives the manganese reaction. In acid dissolves with effervescense.
Copperas . ...   .
Fe S + 7H.
Gives off water, and, when strongly heated, SO2 and SO3, which reddens litmus paper. Evolves water and SO2, which may be recognized by its odor. Loses water and SO2, and is converted into
...
Fe.		 Gives off H and SO2, and then behaves as the magnetic oxide. The roasted mineral affords an iron reaction. As in borax. Forms sulphide of sodium and oxide of iron. The former is absorbed into the charcoal, and if cut out and laid upon silver and moistened gives the S reaction. If dissolved in water, and a strip of silver-foil be introduced into the solution, the metal remains untarnished.
Vivianite    ...
.  ..   .
Fe3P + 8H.
Gives off water. — Froths up and then fuses to a grey metallic bead. As on charcoal. Singes flame green
.....
(P).		 Gives the iron reaction. As in borax. In reducing flame becomes magnetic and fuses to a black saggy mass. —
Iriphyline          ...
 . . .   ..
(FeMnLi)3P.
Gives off water, having an alkaline reaction, and assumes a metallic lustre resembling graphite. — Fuses readily to a black magnetic bead with a metallic lustre. I.
On platinum wire colors the flame crimson
.
(Li)
and green
.....
(P),
towards the point fuses to a black magnetic bead.		 Gives the iron and manganese reactions. Gives the iron reaction which overpowers that of the manganese. Forms an infusible porous mass, which under the reducing flame becomes magnetic. Gives the manganese reaction with nitre and carbonate of soda on platinum foil.
Scorodite     ...
... ..   .
 FeAs + 4H.
Evolves water. Gives off water and AsO3. Emits arsenical fume and in the reducing flame fuses to a magnetic mass having a metallic lustre. I.
As on charcoal. Colors the outer flame blue.		 The roasted mineral gives an iron reaction. As in borax. As alone on charcoal. Gives the arsenic reactions.
Cube ore    ...      ...
.  ..   ... ..     .
Fe3As + Fe3 As2 + 18H.
Evolves much water. As the preceding. As the preceding. As the preceding. As the preceding. As in borax. As the preceding. As the preceding.

MANGANESE.

Go to TOC

Mineral.Formula.
(1) in glass bulb.(2) in open tube.(3) on charcoal.(4) in forceps. (5) in borax.(6) in mic. salt.(7) in carb. soda.(8) Special Reactions.
Manganblende MnS.
— Gives off SO2 and becomes greyish green on surface. Is slowly roasted and converted into oxide. V. The roasted mineral gives a strong manganese reaction. In the unroasted state, dissolves with much ebullition and detonation due to elimination of sulphide of phosphorus. The bead then exhibits the characteristic violet color of manganese. Forms a slaggy mass, which laid on silver and moistened, gives the sulphur reaction. —
Pyrolusite ..
Mn.
Frequently gives off a small quantity of water and, when strongly heated, oxygen. — — V. Gives the manganese reaction. As in borax. Forms a slaggy mass. —
Manganite ... .
 Mn H.
Gives off much water. — — V.
Exfoliates slightly.		 As the preceding. As in borax. As the preceding. —
Psilomelane  .  .  .  . ..   .
(Ba,Ca,Mg,K)Mn + H.
Gives off water and, when strongly heated, oxygen. — — V.>br />Colors flame faintly green(Ba) and red towards the point (Ca). As pyrolusite. As in borax. As pyrolusite. —
Wad ..  .   .       ... ... .   .   ... ...
Mn, Mn, H, also Fe, Al, Ba, Cu, Pb, Si, etc.
Gives off water. — — V.
Colors flame variously according to its composition.		 Gives the manganese reaction, more or less modified by the presence of other oxides. As in borax. As pyrolusite. Various according to composition. When strongly heated and then moistened has an alkaline reaction on red litmus paper.
Rhodonite .  ...
Mn3Si2.
Gives off more or less water. — Under a strong flame fuses to a brown opaque bead. II.
As on charcoal.		 In the oxidizing flame gives the manganese reaction. In reducing flame the iron reaction. As in borax, but leaves an insoluble siliceous skeleton. With a small quantity of the alkali fuses to a black bead. With a larger quantity forms a slag. —
Diallogite . ..
MnC.
Frequently decrepitates and gives off more or less water. — If strongly heated and moistened has an alkaline reaction on litmus paper due to the presence of
.
Ca.		 V.
Frequently colors the flame slightly red.		 Gives the manganese and iron reactions. As in borax. Forms an infusible slag. In warm acid dissolves with much effervescence.
Triplite        ...
 .. .  ..
(MnFe)4P.
Generally gives off more or less water. — — I.
Colors the outer blowpipe flame green
.....
(P).		 Gives the manganese and iron reactions. As in borax. Forms an infusible mass. —

NICKEL AND COBALT.

Go to TOC

Mineral.Formula.
(1) in glass bulb.(2) in open tube.(3) on charcoal.(4) in forceps. (5) in borax.(6) in mic. salt.(7) in carb. soda.(8) Special Reactions.
Millerite NiS.
— Evolves SO2. Fuses with much ebullition to a magnetic bead. — The roasted mineral gives a nickel reaction, slightly modified by small quantities of iron and copper. As in borax. Fuses to a slaggy mass, which on silver gives the sulphur reaction. —
Coppernickel Ni2As.
Gives off a little AsO3. Gives off much AsO3 and some SO2 and falls to powder. Fuses to a magnetic bead, with the evolution of arsenic, which colors the flame blue. — The arsenical bead obtained by fusing the mineral on charcoal, if fused upon the same support with borax successively added and removed, gives firstly an iron reaction, then cobalt if present, and lastly nickel. If the residual bead which has been treated with borax be further treated with microcosmic salt, the nickel reaction will be obtained and sometimes a slight copper reaction. — Affords a sublimate of metallic arsenic when treated with cyanide of potassium.
Smaltine CoAs.
When strongly heated generally evolves metallic arsenic. Gives a crystalline sublimate of AsO3. Also some SO2. Gives off fumes of arsenic, and fuses to a dark grey magnetic bead, very brittle, colors flame blue. — As the preceding, but the cobalt being in large excess requires some time for its perfect oxidation, before the nickel reaction is exhibited. Gives the cobalt reaction, and after the cobalt has been, removed that of nickel. — As the preceding.
Glance cobalt CoS2 + CoAs.
— As the preceding, but gives off more SO2. Gives off S and As, and fuses to a magnetic bead. Colors flame blue. — Gives a cobalt and slight iron reaction when treated as the preceding minerals. As in borax. Gives a sulphur reaction of silver. As the preceding.
Nickel glance NiS2 + NiAs.
Decrepitates and gives an orange colored sublimate of AsS2. As the preceding. As the preceding. — As copper nickel. Gives the nickel reaction occasionally somewhat obscured by cobalt. As the preceding. As copper nickel.
Ulmannite NiS2 + Ni(AsSb)2.
Gives a slight white sublimate of SbO3 and more or less AsS3. Gives off thick fumes of SbO3 and SbO5 with AsO3 and SO2. As glance cobalt, but accompanied by dense fumes of SbO3. — As copper nickel. As the preceding. As the preceding. As copper nickel generally, but arsenic is not always present.
Cobalt pyrites  , , ,   ,,, ,,, ,,,
(CoNiFe)(Co  Ni  Fe).
When strongly heated gives off sulphur and becomes brown. Gives off much SO2 and a small quantity of AsO3. In the reducing flame small fragments fuse with the evolution of sulphur to a magnetic bead having a bronze colored fracture. — In the oxidizing flame on charcoal gives a violet colored glass. In the reducing flame the nickel is reduced and may collected in a gold bead. When the nickel is removed, the glass exhibits a slight iron reaction while warm. As in borax, but the reduction of the nickel is more difficult than in the latter flux. As glance cobalt. As copper nickel, but the amount of arsenic is usually very small.
Emerald nickel .  ..   .
Ni3C + 6H.
Gives off much water and turns black. — — — Dissolves with much effervescence and gives the nickel reaction. As in borax. Forms a slaggy mass. In warm dilute HCl dissolves with much effervescence.
Cobalt Bloom .  ...   .
Co3As + 8H.
Gives off water. — Evolves arsenical fumes and in the reducing flame fuses to a dark grey bead of arsenide of cobalt. In the point of the blue flame fuses and colors the outer flame blue (As). Gives the cobalt reaction. As in borax. — Gives off arsenic with cyanide of potassium in glass tube.
Earthy cobalt .  .  .  .  .
Mn,Co,Cu,Fe,H, etc.
Gives off water. — Emits a slight smell of arsenic, but does not fuse. Colors the flame blue. In oxidizing flame gives the cobalt reaction which obscures those of
.
Mn,
.
Cu,
etc. In reducing flame occasionally gives the
.
Cu
reaction. 		As in borax. If a saturated bead be treated on charcoal with tin in the reducing flame for a few seconds, the
.
Cu
reaction is sometimes obtained.		 Forms an infusible mass. With carbonate of soda and nitre on platinum foil, gives a strong manganese reaction.