The use of the blowpipe in chemical analysis, and in the examination of minerals / by J.J. Berzelius ; translated from the French of M. Fresnel, by J. G. Children. With a sketch of Berzelius' system of mineralogy; a synoptic table of the principal characters of the pure earths and metallic oxides before the blowpipe, and numerous notes and additions by the translator.

  • Jöns Jacob Berzelius
Date:
1822
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The use of the blowpipe in chemical analysis, and in the examination of minerals / by J.J. Berzelius ; translated from the French of M. Fresnel, by J. G. Children. With a sketch of Berzelius' system of mineralogy; a synoptic table of the principal characters of the pure earths and metallic oxides before the blowpipe, and numerous notes and additions by the translator. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ments of Chemistry ;* it is all that we have from him on the subject. He never wrote any memoirs respecting the results of his experiments on mine- rals, and when, through age, his recollection of the facts he had observed began to fail him, he often insisted on the necessity of examining and care- fully noting down the phenomena presented by different minerals when acted on by the blowpipe. At his desire, I undertook such an investigation, the results of which he proposed to criticise, his blowpipe in his hand, that where any discrepancies might exist, we should be enabled to detect their causes, and avoid all inaccuracy in the place as- signed to each individual substance. This scheme was frustrated by his unexpected death, an event that happened too soon, long as his life had been. In all the rest of Europe only one naturalist, but he a most distinguished one, has applied him- self to the study of the blowpipe and its uses,1 2 and submitted a large number of mineral substances to 1 Larbok i Kemien, 2 ; dra Delen. Stockholm, 1812. p. 473, et seq. B, It] is to be regretted that we have no English translation of this work. Its origin forbids a doubt of its value. C. 21 cannot subscribe to this opinion ; for in this country alone it is well known there are many persons who have made great proficiency in the use of the blowpipe. One in particular, whom it is unnecessary to mention by name, is as eminently distinguished for his dexterity in managing this useful little instrument, as he is for the general accuracy of his conclusions, and the sagacity by which he arrives at