LITHIA AND LITHIUM. 263 



been examined with so much care, and some of 

 the salts which it forms have been analyzed with 

 such accuracy, that its atomic weight has been as- 

 certained with as much precision as that of any 

 of the alkaline bases. I have examined several 

 of the salts of lithia, but found the sulphate best 

 adapted for a rigid determination of the atomic 

 weight. 



1. Sulphate of lithia crystallizes very well by Analysis of 

 spontaneous evaporation, even when the quantity i. att 

 of it is small. It forms four-sided rectangular 

 prisms with square bases, which are not liable to 

 deliquesce when exposed to the air. Its taste is 

 saline, without any perceptible bitterness. It 

 contains water of crystallization, which is easily 

 driven off by exposing the salt to a heat of about 

 600. 



This salt was analyzed by Arfwedson, Vau- 

 quelin, and Gmelin, in an anhydrous state : but 

 Strom eyer has stated both the saline constituents 

 and the water of crystallization. 



According to Arfwedson,* the constituents of 

 this salt are 



Sulphuric acid 68 '41 or 5 

 Lithia 31-59 - 2308 



100-00 



Vauquelint states its constituents as follows : 



* Ann. de Chim. et de Phys. X. 90. f Ibid. VII. 287 



