Litmus.—This is an organic colouring matter which is turned red by acids and blue by alkalies. For ordinary purposes it is best used as litmus paper, which may be purchased in small books. A solution is prepared by digesting 15 or 20 grams of the commercial litmus in 100 c.c. of water on the water bath. After being allowed to settle, it is filtered and made just faintly red with acetic acid. Then there is added a drop or two of a solution of soda and 10 c.c. of alcohol. It should be kept in a loosely-covered bottle.
Magnesia, MgO.—It may be purchased as "calcined magnesia." It is used for making "magnesia mixture," and should be kept in a corked wide-mouthed bottle.
"Magnesia Mixture."—Dissolve 22 grams of magnesia in about a quarter of a litre of dilute hydrochloric acid, avoiding excess. Add 5 grams of magnesia, boil, and filter. Add 300 grams of ammonic chloride, and 250 c.c. of strong ammonia; and dilute with water to 2 litres. It should be kept in a stoppered winchester.
Magnesium Sulphate, MgSO4.7H2O.—It can be purchased very pure, and is occasionally used as a standard salt.
Manganese Dioxide, MnO2.—It is used in the preparation of chlorine. The commercial article is not pure, but is sufficiently so for this purpose.
Marble, CaCO3.—Fragments of the white crystalline variety only should be used. It is used as a source of lime and of carbon dioxide.
Mercury, Hg.—This can be purchased pure. It should have a bright surface, flow without a tail, and leave no residue on ignition. It is used as a standard; for amalgamation; and as a confining liquid in gas analysis.
Mercuric Chloride (HgCl2) may be purchased pure. Make a 5 per cent. solution in water. It is used for destroying an excess of stannous chloride; for removing sulphuretted hydrogen from solution; and as a test for stannous salts.
Microcosmic Salt, HAmNaPO4.8H2O.—When fused NaPO3 is formed. It is used in testing for metallic oxides and silica before the blowpipe. The crystals are sometimes used as a standard for phosphoric acid.
"Nessler's Solution."—Mode of preparation: Dissolve 35 grams of potassium iodide in 100 c.c. of water; dissolve 17 grams of mercuric chloride in 300 c.c. of water, and pour this solution into that of the iodide till a permanent precipitate is produced; make up to 1 litre with a 20 per cent. solution of potash; add mercuric chloride till a precipitate is again formed; allow to settle and decant. It is used for detecting ammonia.