72 BULLETIN OF THE BUSSEY INSTITUTION. 
obtained from the pit-sand residue, while the residue from the coal- 
ashes gave strong reactions for lithium, sodium, and calcium. Other 
experiments in which pure saline solutions were used instead of dis- 
tilled water, were tried in this way upon similar amounts of the ashes 
and the sand. The results were as follows : — 
The residue obtained by using 
A solution containing 3} per ee of shlong of sodium gave re- 
actions for sodium and tesa in the case of the pit-sand, and 
for potassium, sodium, calcium, and lithium in the case of the coal- 
ashes. 
A solution containing 5 per cefit of nitrate of ammonia gave reac- 
tions for sodium and calcium in the case of the sand ; and for potas- 
sium (strong), calcium, lithium, and sodium in the case of the coal- 
ashes. Obscure flashes of a broad line in the position of the blue 
strontium line, or of the lithium line that is visible only at very high 
temperatures, were noticed several times, but I have not yet found 
time to determine whether this suggestion of cesium is really ad to 
the presence of that element in the coal-ashes. 
A solution containing 5 per cent of Epsom salt gave very strong 
reactions for sodium and calcium in the case of the pit-sand. 
A solution of’ chloride of calcium gave reactions for potassium 
(faint), sodium (obscured), and lithium (strong), in the ease of the 
coal-ashes. 
The solution obtained by digesting coal-ashes with pure, strong 
chlorhydric acid gave reactions for potassium, sodium, calcium, and 
_ lithium (strong). 
The constant presence of lithium in the coal-ashes Ied to the follow- 
ing comparative tests, made in the hope of gainmg some idea of the 
relative amount of this element. 
Note on the Amount of Inthiwm in Coal-Ashes. 
Every sample of anthracite ashes thus far examined has given a reaction — 
for lithium when tested with the spectroscope. This remark applies not 
only to the coal-ashes employed in the foregoing experiments, but to several 
other samples obtained from household fires. The fact that the ashes of 
many vegetable substances (especially the ash of grains) gave no reaction 
