134

GUANO.

4. One half of this solution is distilled along with slaked lime in a matrass eonnep* e

with a small quintuple globe condenser, containing distilled water, and immersed > nbasin of the same. As the condensing apparatus terminates in a water-trap, no P eof the ammonia can be lost; and it is all afterward estimated by a peculiar meter, W“ 0indications make manifest one hundredth part of a grain. 3

5. The other half of the solution is mixed with some nitric acid, and divided in* 0

equal portions. j-

a, the first portion, is treated with nitrate of barytes, and the resulting sulpha* 6

barytes is collected, ignited, and weighed. f

b, the second portion, is treated with nitrate of silver, and the resulting chloride

silver ignited and weighed. . j

c, the third portion, has a certain measure of a definite solution of ferric nitrate e

with it, and then ammonia in excess. From the weight of the precipitated subphosP ^of iron after ignition, the known amount of oxide used being deducted, the quantityphosphoric acid in the soluble portion of the guano becomes known. r jc

d, the three above portions are now mixed, freed by a few drops of dilute sulpn

and hydrochloric acids from any barytes and silver left in them, and then testenitrate of lime for oxalate of ammonia. The quantity of oxalate of lime obtained’termine3 that point. _ j a te

6. The last liquor filtered, being freed from any residuary particles of lime by oX .of ammonia, is evaporated to dryness and ignited, to obtain the fixed alkaline ^ te dThis being weighed, is then dissolved in a little water, neutralized with acid, and tr ^with soda-chloride of platinum. From the quantity of potasli-cliloride of platinum)' j sprecipitates, after being filtered, dried, and weighed, the amount of potash P re ® e , 0I .j c ,deducted—the rest is soda. These bases may be assigned to the sulphuric, hydro- 61and phosphoric acids,.in proportions corresponding to their respective affinities. ^ e d

7. The proportion of organic matter in the above solution of guano, is deter ofdirectly by evaporating a certain portion of it to dryness, and igniting. Tbe 1 (ter .weight, minus the ammonia and oxalic acid, represents the amount of organic

8. A second portion of a solution of the guano is evaporated to dryness by 8 ogjj5,steam heat, weighed, enclosed in a stout well-closed phial along with alcohol ot ^ eaT;and heated to 212°. After cooling, the alcoholic solution is decanted or filterc ^ eS je(levaporated to dryness by a gentle heat, and weighed. This is urea, which may » j or t.by its conversion into carbonate of ammonia, when heated in a test tube or snia 0 fTn this way, I have obtained from Bolivian guano, 5 per cent, of urea; a certain p

of its entire soundness. ndan ce

9. Analysis of the insoluble matter. One third of it is digested with heat in abu ^t.

of Borax-water, containing T -l_ of the salt, filtered, and the filter dried by a stea ■

The loss of weight indicates the amount of uric acid, which is verified by sup er ® a j n g itthe filtrate with acetic or hydrochloric acid, thus precipitating the uric acid, *hr ^ 0 yeupon a filter, drying, and weighing it. This weight should nearly agree Wit call ed

loss ol weight, the small difference being due to soluble organic matter, somet 1

geine and ulmic acid. The uric acid is evidenced, 1, by its specific^ gravity) Bl p]efind to be only 1-25, as also that of the urate of ammonia; 2,by itsaflordmg ^gvaP 01murexide when heated in a capsule along with nitric acid, and then exposed to

of ammonia from a feather held over it; 3, by its dissipation when heate )emitting an empyreumatic odor. _ ■ 11 of sl a ^ el *

10. Another third of the solid matter is distilled along with half its w®? 1 ^ t be a®'lime, and 10 times its weight of water, in the apparatus already described, a

monia obtained from it estimated. • . , t j n W ea *j

11. The remaining third having been ignited, is digested with a gentle jj-jed, a ®

hydrochloric acid, and the undissolved silica and alumina washed on a “ them** 1016

weighed. To the hydrochloric solution, dilute sulphuric acid is added, an w ate {jis heated till all the hydrochloric acid be expelled, with the greater l ,alt f .?„ r being v, ' e -Alcohol of 0-850 is now poured upon the pasty residuum, and the whole, a magnf®'stirred, is thrown upon a filter. The phosphoric acid passes through, as als ° , j e j n sp* r Uin union with sulphuric acid. The sulphate of lime, which is quite inso we jght 0 ,of wine, being washed with them, is dried, ignited, and weighed. 6 r0 ™ en t, bee 0 ® ‘sulphate of lime, the quantity of phosphate of that earth, that was pi ’known. the gran®

12. Ammonia in excess is now added to the filtrate, which throws °^" at a b ephosphate of ammonia and magnesia. After washing and drying this p

of 150°, its weight denotes the quantity of that compound in the guano- ^riat®

13. To the filtered liquor (of 12), if a little ammonia be added, ana ^ p r ecip lta

magnesia be slowly dropped in, phosphate of ammonia and magnesia ^ ^

from the amount of which the quantity of phosphoric acid may be es ‘ s bed res®

14. The proportion of oxalate of lime is determined by igniting t