583 
THE VETERINARIAN, OCTOBER 1, 1861. 
Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — Cicero. 
NEW MODE OF CHEMICAL ANALYSIS. 
In a previous number we adverted to the new mode of 
analysis introduced to the consideration of the scientific 
world by Professors Bunsen and KirchhofF. We now purpose 
to give a brief account of it, assuming that its importance 
will be a sufficient reason for thus occupying our pages. 
We are aware that colours for the recognition of different 
substances have been objected to because some persons labour 
under a defect of vision, designated colour-blindness, but 
surelythere is no validity whatever in this. Also, that as several 
bodies may be mixed together, each possessing its peculiar 
colour, by their admixture a difficulty in detection will present 
itself. Neither in this do we think there is much weight, 
as the analyst has, by its separation, to demonstrate the 
existence of a substance. 
We need hardly add that our description of the method 
will, of necessity, be derived from the accounts which have 
appeared from time to time in the scientific journals of 
the day. 
It may be safely said that Professors Bunsen and KirchhofF, 
of Heidelburg, to whom modern chemistry is largely indebted, 
have lately made a discovery which, in the vast field it opens 
for further research, may be ranked as the most famous of the 
year. It is a method of chemical analysis by means of the 
spectrum. Most persons know that by spectrum is meant the 
rainbow-beam reflectedfrom a glass prism exposed to sun light; 
it is producible also by the light of a lamp, and chemists and 
opticians have at times experimented on the changes that 
appear when different substances are burned within the lamp- 
flame. For delicate observations, it is essential that the 
spectrum be not too bright; much less bright, in fact, than 
that thrown by the solar beam ; and Bunsen's lamp, which, 
