HANDBOOK 



OP 



MINERAL ANALYSIS 



1. CHLORIDE OF SODIUM. 



Nad. 



PERFECTLY pure crystallized common salt is strongly 

 heated, to expel adhering moisture, weighed, dissolved 

 in water, the solution slightly acidified with nitric acid, 

 heated, and the chlorine precipitated by nitrate of sil- 

 ver, the liquid being at the same time violently agitated 

 by stirring. When the chloride of silver has com- 

 pletely separated, leaving the liquid clear, it is filtered 

 off and washed (with as little exposure to light as pos- 

 sible), first with hot water acidified with nitric acid, in 

 order that it may not pass through the filter and sub- 

 sequently with pure water. When the precipitate has 

 been perfectly dried it is removed as completely as 

 possible from the filter, and fused, in a weighed porce- 

 lain crucible, over the gas-lamp. The filter is com- 

 pletely incinerated by itself; the ashes are placed upon 

 the cooled chloride of silver, and heated, first with a 

 little nitric acid, in ordei" to oxidize the reduced silver, 

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