AMERICAN MINERALS. 145 



Analysis. 



From preliminary essays it was ascertained, that 

 this mineral contained neither silex, aluminc, magne- 

 sia, oxide of iron, nor oxide of manganese. 



A. 5 grammes underwent no alteration from the 

 action of heat. 



R 5 grammes treated with nitric acid, yielded an 

 entire and colourless solution. Oxalic acid was 

 added to the liquor, it occasioned an abundant pre- 

 cipitate, which, washed and strongly calcined, af- 

 forded, lime 2. 565 grammes, on 5 grammes, or 51. 

 30 per 100. 



C. The liquor (B.) after the separation of the 

 lime, was evaporated to perfect dryness ; towards 

 the close of the evaporation, the matter became black, 

 owing to the decomposition of the oxalic acid ; when 

 the entire decomposition of the acid was supposed 

 to have been effected, the residue was treated with 

 water, and the liquor, after being filtered, was treat- 

 ed with ammoniac, which occasioned a colourless 

 precipitate of phosphate of lime ; this being a portion 

 of the mineral, that resisted decomposition by the 

 oxalic acid, it weighed 0. 29 grammes on 5 gram- 

 mes, or 5. 80 per 100. 



D The liquor (C.) when treated with the muriate 

 of harytes, afforded phosphate of barytes, equiva- 

 lent to phosphoric acid &. 042 grammes on 5 gram- 

 mes, or 40. 84 per 100. 



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