11 J ANALYSIS OF A PECULIAR SOIL. 



If this solution is mixed with water, and ammonia dropped 

 into it, an abundant brownish matter is thrown down ; 

 the clear decanted fluid, which is no longer rendered turbid 

 by ammonia, yields up a small quantity of lime to the 

 carbonate of ammonia. The matter, wliich auunonia has 

 precipitated, becomes dark brown by ignition. Various ex- 

 Oxide of periments prove, that it consists of the oxide of manganese , 



mangancRc, jj^^j l_j^g eartlis alumina and masnesia. The sails, then, 



alumine, and ° 



magnesia. w nich this sod contains, appear to be sulphate of lime, and 



ContentB of the respective muriates of soda^ ^limCy alumina^ magnesiay 

 the soil. gjj^ manganese. It contains, also, r nriatic acid in a dis- 



engaged state, and vegetable extractive matter. 

 Analysis to 1 wished to form some jud<(ment as to the quantity and 



prononi'ons'^"^ relative proportion of these salts in a given portion of the 

 soil. With this view, I extracted all that was soluble by 

 distilled water in sixteen ounces of soil previously freed as 

 much as possble from stones. Tlie solution was gradually 

 evaporated, until no more sulphate of lime would appear. 

 It was washed with alcohol mixed with water, collei:ted and 

 dried it rz 13*76 grains. When, upon farther evaporation, 

 the muriate of soda ceased to crystallize, the fluid was 

 poured off", and the salt washed with alcohol. Upon evapo- 

 rating the alcohol mixed with water, a small quantity of 

 raviriate of soda was obtained. The whole quantity of mu- 

 riate of Soda amounted to 117*25 grains. What was poured 

 oif from the last salt obtained was added to the residuary 

 fluid : and ammonia vi'as dropped into it, as long as it pro- 

 duced any effect. The brownifli precipitate was catched 

 upon a filter. It required a much larger quantity of dis- 

 tilled water to edulcorate it sufficiently, than I could have 

 expeftcd. After exposure to a low red heat, it zn 13*8 

 grains — carbonate of ammonia precipitated a small quantity 

 of lime from the remaining fluid. This carbonate of lime 

 was dissolved in muriatic acid ; and iu the state of dried 

 muriate it scarcely amounted to two grains. 

 Muriatic acid. Ihe fluid, thus freed from earthy and metallic substances 

 by the means of ammonia, was rendered slightly acid by 

 pure nitric acid, and assayed by liquid nitrate of silver. 

 The muriate of silver, which was precipitated, was sufiici- 

 ^tly edulcorated. It was dried by being placed, during 



jBeveral 



