J. L. Smith on determining the Alkaliesin Minerals. 57 
b. 500 milligrm. of chlorid of sodium treated in the same way 
yielded 4 milligramme to the liquid. 
c. A mixture of chlorids of potassium, sodium and lithium, in 
which the latter constituted 2 per cent. of the mass, was acted 
on by the ether and alcohol, filtered and evaporated to dryness ; 
the residue was equal to 2:53 percent. The quantity used, was 
CLK and Cl Na each 200 milligrm., Cl Li °8 milligrams. _ 
A similar mixture containing 18°10 per cent. of chlorid of 
lithium, furnished a residue of 17-65 per cent. ; 
e. A similar mixture containing 67:20 per cent. chlorid of lith- 
ium, gave a residue of 68-40 
_ 44, By these results it may be seen that this method of separa- 
ting lithia from the other alkalies may be perfectly relied on. It 
only remains to detail the precautions to be taken in order to en- 
sure accurate results. 
5. The solution of alcohol and ether must be made of absolute 
alcohol mixed with its volume of pure ether. he chlorids must 
be dried thoroughly at 212° or alittle above ; if they have at any 
time been heated much higher, a drop or two of hydrochloric acid 
must be added to the chlorids, that are subsequently dried at the 
temperature just mentioned. The desiccation is best carried 
on ina small sized capsule. To the dry mass, a small quan- 
With a small glass rod, the chlorids soon disintegrate ; the capsule 
and its contents are placed ona glass plate, and covered with a 
small bell glass ; (a common tumbler answer the purpose very 
well, especially if the edge be ground,) this is left to digest for 
twenty-four hours, and then thrown on a filter and washed with 
the alcohol ether solution, the chlorids of sodium and potassium 
remain on the filter. ‘These last can be dissolved off the filter by 
means of water, and separated in the ordinary way. 
46. The alcohol-ether solution of chlorid of lithium is evapo- 
rated to dryness, converted into sulphate and weighed. The 
results thus obtained far exceed in accuracy those from any 
other method for separating lithia. The indirect method, by 
ascertaining the quantity of sulphuric acid contained in the mixed 
sulphates, is the next best, but like all indirect methods of analysis, 
Should never be employed except when it is absolutely necessary. 
47. When the alkalies are presented in the form of chlorids 
before their quantity has been estimated in some other form, it 1s 
best to proceed first to the separation of lithia, afterwards weigh 
the chlorids not dissolved by the alcohol-ether, and lastly, 
Separate the potash chlorid from the soda chlorid, if both be 
present, by means of the bichlorid of platinum. Experiments 
Were made with a mixture of alcohol and chloroform, the results 
Szconp Series, Vol. XVI, No. 46.—July, 1853. 8 
