246 ALKALIMETRY. 



arranged in different ways. That represented in the 

 adjoining figure, of about J its real dimensions, will 

 render apparent the general principle, upon which they 

 are constructed, and will itself fully answer the pur- 

 pose. It consists of a small light flask, closed by a 

 cork perforated with two holes, in one of which is 

 inserted a tube filled with fragments of chloride of 

 calcium, and in the other, a narrow glass tube, running 



Fig. 33. 



nearly parallel with the inner wall of the flask, and 

 reaching almost to the surface of the liquid ; above the 

 cork, this tube is bent at right angles. 



The specimen to be examined is weighed in the 

 flask, the latter about one-third filled with water, and 

 the small tube full of acid introduced with a pair of 

 pincers ; this tube must be of such a length that it 

 cannot fall down in the flask, but may assume the 

 position indicated in the figure. Sulphuric acid is to 

 be preferred for effecting the decomposition of the 

 carbonate, and should be employed in quantity more 

 than sufficient to expel the whole of the carbonic acid. 

 (B'or the carbonates of lime, baryta, and lead, nitric 



