Tests in the Wet Way. 51 
an inch or an inch and a quarter from the lower end of 
the tube; the tube should be held nearly horizontal or 
enough so as to prevent the substance from falling out. 
The assay is now heated over a Bunsen burner or with 
the blowpipe flame and its action noted. (See Tests.) 
It is believed that the above is all that is necessary 
to enable the student to successfully conduct the Blow- 
pipe tests given on page 54 to 81. 
QUALITATIVE TESTS OF MINERALS IN THE WET-WAY. 
By the following method of tests, the mineral to 
be tested is first pulverized to a very fine powder, a small 
portion of it, or about as much as can be held on the 
point of a large pocket-knife blade is dissolved by boil- 
ing with about 5cc to 10cc of the proper acid, or acids; 
in a test tube, matrass, or beaker. The acids used as 
solvents are generally Hydrochloric (HCl), or Nitric 
(HNO:), or both. In no case should an acid be used 
which contains the element sought for in the test, or 
when its presence would interfere with the test, for in- 
stance, as in the test for silver, HCl should not be used 
as a solvent, “but as a precipitant.” (See silver.) 
The precijitates, in many cases, after being caught 
upon the filter, may be dried and further tested by 
means of the blowpipe; thus confirming by blowpipe 
tests the presence of the element sought. The acids used 
as solvents in the majority of cases should be diluted 
with water or at least before applying the respective 
precipitants, i e, the reagents or chemicals, which indi- 
cates the element tested for, if present. Having the 
mineral thoroughly dissolved, a drop or two of the so- 
lution is removed by means of a glass rod or tube, and 
tested on a white porcelain dish with the proper reagent 
or chemical added, “as per T'ests.”” In order to success- 
