assay of it.

3. _If of a creamy consistency, free from heavy particles:_ mix well;
spread out evenly on a glazed tile. Take up equal portions at equal
distances. Mix and assay.

4. _If a mud of coarse and fine particles, or of particles of unequal
density:_ weigh and transfer to a porcelain dish, or weigh in the dish.
Dry at 100∞ C., weigh. Treat the residue as a solid capable of being
powdered.

5. _If a solid capable of being powdered, or already powdered:_ heap up
into a cone; flatten with a spatula; divide along two diameters at right
angles, and carefully reject the whole of two alternate quarters,
brushing away any fine powder. Mix the other quarters, and repeat (if
necessary). For small quantities a fine state of division is essential.

6. _If a solid with metallic particles:_ powder and pass through a
sieve; the metallic particles will not pass through. Weigh both portions
and assay separately. _Sifting should be followed by a very thorough
mixing._

7. _If a metal or alloy in bar or ingot:_ clean the upper surface of the
bar, and bore through the bar. Use the borings. If the ingot or bar is
small, cut it through and file the section. Filings must be freed from
fragments of the file by means of a magnet; and from oil, if any be
present, by washing with a suitable solvent.[1] Where practicable,
metals and alloys are best sampled by melting and granulating. The
student must carefully avoid any chance of mixing dirt or particles of
other samples with the particular sample which he is preparing. One ore