48 



SIXTH REPORT — 183G. 



coexist in a state of weak solution, the analysis of a mineral 

 water consists in nothing more than in determining the nature 

 and amount of the several acids and bases which it contains. 

 But Berzelius has further contended*, that everything beyond 

 this, which the chemical analysis professes to give, is a matter of 

 hypothesis, and that in concluding the salts, actually present in 

 the water, to be neccssurilj^ the most soluble compounds, that 

 could be formed out of the acids and bases present, Murray went 

 further than he was justified, either by experiment or analogy, in 

 doing. 



The Swedish chemist, on the contrary, contends, and appa- 

 rently with much justice, that, consistently with the views of 

 BerthoUet on the influence of the mass, we ought to suppose as 

 many salts to exist in a mineral water, as can be formed out of 

 the constituents present, whilst the proportion, in which these 

 salts exist, is a point which we cannot obtain data for calculating, 

 iHitil we are able to estimate numerically, the relative force of 

 affinity subsisting between the ingi'edients. 



According, therefore, to the received views on this subject, 

 the chemist ought in strictness barely to set down, as the results of 

 his analysis, the respective weights of the acids and bases present. 



If he does more than this, and pi-ofesses to combine these 

 principles into salts, it should be understood, that he acts merely 

 ill conformity with existing visage, and in order to convey to the 

 public the impression, that those waters, in which he has found 

 such and such acids and bases, act upon the system in a manner 

 similar to that, which the salts he states to exist in them are 

 considered calculated to do. 



Particular 

 improve- 

 ments. 



To distin- 

 guish ba- 

 rytes or 

 stj-ontites 

 from lime ; 



barytes 

 from stron- 

 tites. 



With respect to the particular improvements introduced into 

 this department of chemical analysis, I may particularize the 

 following : 



A solution of sulphate of lime has been proposed as a test for 

 barytes, or strontites, in a mineral water. 



If either of these bases exists therein, a precipitate is formed, 

 whereas, if lime alone is present, no effect takes place on the 

 addition of this reagent. 



An easy method of separating barytes from strontites has been 

 invented by Liebigt, who treats the mixed solution with iodate 

 of soda, this forming, an insoluble precipitate with the haryt, 

 but a soluble compound with the strontian. 



Another methodj has lately been proposed for the same ob- 

 ject, namely, that of adding neutral chromate of potass to the 



• In his Analysis of the Carlsbad water, Annales de Chimie, vol. xxviii. 

 •j- Already noticed in Mr. Johnson's Report. 

 X Philosophical Magazine t March 183G. 



