ASSAMAR. A substance described by Reichenbach, and found by him in the crust of bread. It possesses the faculty of retarding tissue metamorphosis.
ASSAY′ (-sā). Syn. Essai (anc., asaie), Fr. Prüfung, &c., Ger. Literally, a ‘trial’ or examination. In chemistry, the determination, by any chemical means, of the richness of a substance in its essential material or more valuable ingredient; more particularly applied to quantitative analyses of the commercial alkalies, bleaching-powder, oxide of manganese, ores, and other like articles that are employed on the large scale. In docimacy and metallurgy the determination of the quantity of metal in any ore, alloy, or other metallic compound, particularly in the ‘dry way,’ or by the process of cupellation; and more especially of the quantity of pure gold, or pure silver, contained in coin, bullion, and the commercial alloys and ores of these metals. The substance assayed*. See Assaying, &c.
ASSAY′ING. Syn. Assay′, Doc′imacy (dŏos′-) Docimas′tic art; Coupellation, Fr.; Abtreiben auf der capelle, Ger. The art of assay, or of determining the quantity of gold and silver in ores and alloys of these metals, in the ‘dry way,’ or by cupellation. It differs from chemical analysis in merely furnishing the quantity of the precious metal contained in the sample examined; instead of the nature and proportions of all, or any, of the ingredients in the compound, at the will of the operator.
a, a, Rollers on which the furnace rests. b, Ash-pit. c, One of the ash-pit dampers. d, Grate supporting the muffle-plate. e, Muffle containing the cupels. f, The mouth-plate, upon which, during use, is piled ignited pieces of charcoal, by which the mouth of the furnace is closed, and heated air made to pass over the cupels. h, Interior of furnace containing charcoal. i, i, Walls of the furnace. k, Moveable chimney for regulating the draught.
Materials, Appar., &c. These are—furnace, muffle, cupels, charcoal, &c., all of which must be provided and properly arranged for use before an assay can be made:—
The FUR′NACE employed at the Royal Mint and at Goldsmiths’ Hall, London, is figured in section in the above fig., and has the following dimensions:—Total height, 21⁄2 feet; from the bottom to the grate, 6 inches; grate, muffle-plate, and bed of loam that covers it, 3 inches;
space between the grate and the bottom of the funnel or chimney, 211⁄2 inches; funnel, 6 inches. A furnace of any other shape and size may be employed, provided it affords a sufficient heat, and allows of the easy introduction of the muffle.
The MUFF′LE (mŭf′l) is a vessel made of clay (see engr.), and furnished with an opening to admit of the introduction of the cupels, and the complete inspection of the process. It is placed on the muffle-plate (see above), by which it is introduced into the furnace.
