V. 



ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY. 



32. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS AND PRELIMINARY 

 EXAMINATION. 



General remarks. Analytical chemistry is that part of chem- 

 istry which treats of the different analytical methods by which 

 substances are recognized and their chemical composition 

 determined. This determination may be either qualitative or 

 quantitative, and, accordingly, a distinction is made between 

 a qualitative analysis, by which simply the nature of the elements 

 (or groups of elements) present in the substance under exami- 

 nation is determined, and a quantitative analysis, by which also 

 the exact amount of these elements is ascertained. 



In this book qualitative analysis will chiefly be considered, as 

 the methods for quantitative determinations of the different 

 elements are so numerous and so varied that a detailed descrip- 

 tion of them would occupy more space than can be devoted 

 to analytical chemistry in this work. Every one studying 

 analytical chemistry should do it practically, that is, should 

 perform for himself in a laboratory all those reactions which 

 have been mentioned heretofore as characteristic of the different 

 elements and their compounds, and, furthermore, should make 

 himself acquainted with the methods by which substances are 

 recognized when mixed with others, by analyzing various com- 

 plex substances. 



Such a course of practical work in a chemical laboratory is 

 of the greatest advantage to all studying chemistry, and students 

 cannot be too strongly advised to avail themselves of any facili- 

 ties offered in performing chemical experiments, analytically or 

 otherwise. 



