262 BENJ. PIKE'S, JR., DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 



4. Add sulphate of alumina and potass to muriate of co- 

 balt. The crystals of the alum form in great perfection. 



5. Add acetic acid to nitrate of copper. The biperacetate 

 of copper forms slowly, and crystallizes in great beauty. 



6. Add terrocyanate of potass to sulphate of iron. 



7. Add nitrate of potass or aqua potassse to sulphuric 

 acid. The sulphate of potass forms in solution. Raise the 

 upper glass with a knife the smallest degree, and let it fall 

 again ; the crystallization is instant. 



8. The smallest drop of any liquid containing lead may be 

 examined by the usual tests for lead ; and wine may, in the 

 same way, be tested in a drop not bigger than a pin's point. 



9. The bin-iodide of mercury is a beautiful crystal, and 

 open to a variety of experiments. 



10. Investigate the comparative purity of successive crys- 

 tallizations of nitrate of potass. 



In fact, every combination or decomposition which can be 

 effected in the retort, may be carried on as easily on the 

 port-object of the microscope, and the action more accu- 

 rately observed than in any other way. A little of the ma- 

 nual facility and ocular keenness which are acquired by 

 practice being all that is needful ; and this is speedily at- 

 tained. 



The Works of Art and Nature compared together. Upon 

 examining the edge of a very sharp razor, it will appear as 

 broad as the back of a knife, and full of notches. The 

 point of a small needle, though extremely fine to the naked 

 eye, will appear through the microscope full of holes and 

 scratches ; but the sting of a bee, viewed with the same, 

 will appear beautiful, without a flaw or blemish. A piece 

 of fine muslin or lawn appears like a coarse lattice, and the 

 threads like ropes ; the same with fine lace ; but the thread 

 of a silk-worm, or the web of a spider, will appear perfectly 

 smooth. The smallest dot made with a pen appears a vast 

 irregular spot, rough and jagged. Thus sink the works of 

 art ; but in those of nature, even in her meanest productions, 

 nothing will be found but beauty and perfection. 



What we know at present of things near and familiar is 

 so little, that there remains a boundless space for our in- 

 quiries and discoveries in the works of nature, and the more 

 we inquire into them, the more comprehensive and just 

 will be our ideas of the power, wisdom, and goodness of 

 the Deity. 



