CHAPTER V 
REAGENTS 
Little attention is given in the present work to micro-chemical 
reactions for the reason that their value has been much over- 
rated in the past. A few reagents will be found useful, however, 
and these few are given, as well as their special use. They are 
as follows: 
LIST OF REAGENTS 
Distilled Water. Is used in the alcohol, glycerine, and water 
mixture as a general mounting medium. It is used when warm 
as a test for inulin and it is used in preparing various reagents. 
Glycerine. Is used in preparing the alcohol, glycerine, and 
water mixture, in testing for aleurone grains, and as a temporary 
mounting medium. 
Alcohol. Is used in preparing thealcohol, glycerine, and water 
mixture, in testing for volatile oils. 
Acetic Acid. Both dilute and strong solutions are used in 
testing for aleurone grains, cystoliths, and crystals of calcium 
oxalate. 
Hydrochloric Acid. Is used in connection with phloroglucin 
as a test for lignin and as a test for calcium oxalate. 
Ferric Chloride Solution. Is used as a test for tannin. 
Sulphuric Acid. Is used as a test for calcium oxalate. 
Tincture Alkana. Is used when freshly prepared by 
macerating the granulated root with alcohol and filtering, as a 
test for resin. 
Sodium Hydroxide. A five per cent solution is used as a 
test for suberin and as a clearing agent. 
Copper Ammonia. Is used as a test for cellulose. 
Ammonical Solution of Potash. Is used as a test for fixed 
oils. The solution is a mixture of equal parts of a saturated 
solution of potassium hydroxide and stronger ammonia. 
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