259 
on the alloys of steel. 
tion may be desirable to others who may be engaged on 
similar experiments ; and farther, may enable every one to 
detect any attempt at imposition. It would be very desirable 
at present, to possess a test as simple, by which we could dis- 
tinguish the wootz, or steel of India, from that of Europe ; 
but this, unfortunately, requires a much more difficult process 
of analysis. 
To ascertain if platina is in combination with steel, a small 
portion of the metal, or some filings taken from the bar, is 
to be put into dilute sulphuric acid ; there will be rapid action ; 
the iron will be dissolved, and a black sediment left, which 
will contain carbon, hydrogen, iron and platina ; the carbon 
and hydrogen are to be burnt off, the small portion of iron 
separated by muriatic acid, and the residuum dissolved in a 
drop or two of nitro-muriatic acid. If a piece of glass be 
moistened with this solution, and then heated by a spirit lamp 
and the blow pipe, the platina is reduced, and forms a me- 
tallic coating on the glass. 
In analysing the alloy of steel and silver, it is to be acted 
on by dilute sulphuric acid, and the powder boiled in the 
acid ; the silver will remain in such a minute state of division, 
that it will require some time to deposit. The powder is then 
to be boiled in a small portion of strong muriatic acid 
this will dissolve the iron and silver, and the latter will fall 
down as a chloride of silver on dilution with water ; or the 
powder may be dissolved in pure nitric acid, and tested by 
muriatic acid and ammonia. 
* Although it is a generally received opinion that muriatic acid does not act on 
silver, yet that is not the case ; pure muriatic acid dissolves a small portion of silver 
very readily. 
