6 I\I. Berzelius on the Chemical Composition erf 
relation with the Mesolite ; and in order to distinguish them, I 
shall call the upper stratum Mesole, and the lower grained stra- 
tum Mesoline. . ■ 
These substances were analysed in the following manner. 
The mineral, in as great a state of purity as possible, was re- 
duced into powder, and afterwards divided into two parts, one 
of which was exposed to a fire, at first moderate, and afterwards 
incandescent. It was then observed if the loss arose from the 
second ignition, and by this means it is easily determined whe- 
ther or not a mineral contains a volatile acid ; for the water dis- 
engages itself from it at a temperature which is not yet red, pro- 
vided it has been continued for a sufficient length of time, and 
the acids are not volatilised but with a white heat. 
The other part of the powder was decomposed by concen- 
trated muriatic acid, and the gelatinous mass was dried with a 
gentle heat, in order to render the silex insoluble. It was after- 
wards moistened anew with concentrated muriatic acid, and, af- 
ter two hours, it was washed with water. The silex remained 
on the filter, and the clear liquid was precipitated by caustic 
ammonia, added in small excess in a glass, to which the carbo- 
nic acid of the atmosphere could have no access. It was then 
decanted, and the alumina washed on the filter. This earth 
was then brought to a red heat, weighed, and afterwards dis- 
solved in concentrated muriatic or sulphuric acid. It commonly 
left a little silex undissolved, which was deducted from the 
weight of the alumine. Caustic potash was afterwards added 
to the solution, till it re-dissolved the alumine ; and if on this 
occasion there remained an insoluble residue, its weight was also 
deducted from that of the alumine precipitated, the weight of 
which is thus obtained with more exactness than if we sought to 
determine it after having dissolved the alumine in the potash. 
The lime was precipitated by means of the oxalate of ammonia, 
the remaining liquid evaporated to dryness, and the saline mass 
heated, so as to volatilise the sal ammoniac, and give the alkali 
in the form of a muriate. The oxalate of lime was heated to 
redness, and the small quantity of carbonic acid which it could 
thus lose, was restored to it by some drops of carbonate of am- 
monia. It was then well dried, and weighed in the form of car- 
bonate of lime. 
