174 F. W. Clarke on a new process in Mineral Analysis, 
finely pulverized mineral is mixed in a platinum crucible with 
three parts of fluorid of sodium, and upon the top of this 
mixture are placed twelve parts of et et of potash, which 
may be either in powder or in small lum 
Upon heating, the mixture boils up vicinity, and after a 
while settles into a clear, tranquil fusion he boiling is 
chiefly owing to the action of the reagents upon the mineral, 
and not, as might be supposed, merely to the influence of the ~ 
bisulphate u pon the fluorid. This is shown by the fact that, 
whenever the reagents are heated together without minerals, 
although some boiling takes place, the addition of a little 
powdered chromite or iron ore fully doubles the violence of 
the action. 
In quantitative analyses, it is necessary to keep the crucible 
closely covered in order to avoid loss from spattering ; and to 
heat carefully, so that the mass may not boil over. The bi- 
sulphate should never be mixed with the fluorid and mineral, 
because a portion of the assay is then apt to escape action, being 
left on the sides of the crucible by the boiling of the mass ; 
but should be placed upon the top of the mixture as above 
directed, as then the decomposition is complete. The mass 
obtained by this fusion, is, in the case of some minerals, com- 
pletely soluble in water, In other cases, basic salts are formed, 
which, although mesos in water, dissolve readily in hydro- 
chloric acid, Almost all of the latter class may be rendered 
soluble in water, seven by the following process. The fused 
mass, after cooling, with out removal from the crucible, is 
treated with a small quantity of strong sulphuric acid, se 
again fused. The mass thus obtained is entirely solu 
water, There are exceptions to this rule, however. 
_ J will now describe the results I have obtained with various 
minerals, and for the sake of weet will ener faite fusion 
completely preci tated. i of no avant 
with tinstone, This is besolites few 
