The Oxalate Method.
The method consists in taking a weighed amount of cadmium oxalate, decomposing it by heat, when a mixture of oxide and metal are said to be formed, dissolving this mixture in nitric acid, converting the nitrate into oxide and weighing the oxide.
Lenssen[8] obtained results by this method which agree very closely with those recorded in the earlier part of this dissertation.
Working with the same method, Partridge[9] arrived at a value about one fourth of a unit lower than that of Lenssen.
It appeared desirable that this method should be repeated with the greatest care to ascertain what result it would give under the most favorable conditions.
Having a supply of pure cadmium it was necessary to prepare pure oxalic acid.