E. RED.

Strontia, Intense crimson.
Lithia, Purplish red.
Potash, Violet red.
Lime, Purplish red.

The student may often be deceived in regard to the colors: for
instance, if a small splinter of almost any mineral be held at the
point of the flame of oxidation, it will impart a very slight yellow
to the flame. This is caused, doubtless, by the water contained in the
mineral. If the piece of platinum wire is used, and it should be wet
with the saliva, as is frequently done by the student, then the small
quantity of soda existing in that fluid will color the flame of a
light yellow hue.


A. THE VIOLET COLOR.

The salts of potash, with the exception of the borate and the
phosphate, color the flame of a rich violet hue. This color is best
discovered in the outer flame of the blowpipe, as is the case with all
the other colors. The flame should be a small one, with a lamp having
a small wick, while the orifice of the blowpipe must be quite small.
These experiments should likewise be made in a dark room, so that the
colors may be discerned with the greatest ease. In investigating with
potash for the discernment of color, it should be borne in mind that
the least quantity of soda will entirely destroy the violet color of
the potash, by the substitution of its own strong yellow color. If
there be not more than the two hundredth part of soda, the violet