(Born:     ; Died:     ) English chemist.

Biographical references: BBA: I 949, 257. • Kirk, Critical Dictionary of English Literature, 1891. • WBI.

1. English, 1875.
Pyrology, Or, Fire Chemistry; | A Science Interesting To The General Philosopher, | And | An Art Of Infinite Importance | To The | Chemist, Mineralogist, Metallurgist, Geologist, Agriculturist, | Engineer (Mining, Civil And Military), &c., &c. | By | William Alexander Ross, | Lately A Major In The Royal Antillery. | [...one line of quotation...] | [ornament] | London: | E. & F.N. Spon, 48, Charing Cross. | New York: 446, Broome Street. | 1875. | (The Right of Transaltion is reserved.)

8°: [i]-xxviii, [1]-346 p., illustrations, frontispiece (colored), 3 plates, folding table.

Contents: [i-ii], Title page, verso blank.; [iii], Dedication.; [iv], Blank.; [v]-xxiv, "Preface."-signed W.A. Ross, 11 May 1875.; [xxv], "Analysis Of Contents."; [xxvi], Blank.; [xxvii], "List Of Plates And Cuts."; xxviii, "Explanation of Terms and Symbols..."; [1]-319, Text.; 320-321, "Appendix A. Pliny's Cadmia."; 322-335, "Appendix B."; 336, "Appendix C."; 337-346, "Index."

Very scarce. Pyrology, or, Fire Chemistry is a work that describes the chemical analysis of substances through intense heat, especially that most useful instrument the mouth blowpipe. In the introductory section, the author provides some useful historical background information. This is followed by descriptions of the materials, reagents, basic operations, and a systematic rule set for undertaking an analysis of an unknown substance. Descriptions of the reactions that might be expected from various elements is also covered. In a very short section the manufacture of artificial gemstones is covered. Prior to publication, sections of this book appeared as articles authored by Ross in the Chemical News for the years 1873 and 1874.

Bibliographical references: Bolton, Bibliography of Chemistry, 1893: p. 786. • Engelmann, Bibliotheca Historico-Naturalis, 1846: p. 273. • NUC.

2. English, 1880.
Alphabetical manual of blowpipe analysis. Showing all known methods old and new. By W.A. Ross ... London, Trubner & Co., 1880.

8°: [4], [vii]-ix, [2], 148 p., illus. Very scarce.

Bibliographical references: NUC.

3. English, 1884.
The Blowpipe | In | Chemistry, Mineralogy, And Geology, | Containing | All Known Methods Of Anhydrous Analysis, | Many Working Examples And Instruc- | tions For Making Apparatus. | By | Lieut.-Colonel W.A. Ross, R.A. (Retired), F.G.S. | [...2 lines of titles and memberships...] | With One Hundred and Twenty Illustrations by the Author | [...2 lines of quotation...] | [ornament] | London | Crosby Lockwood And Co. | 7, Stationers' Hall Court, Ludgate Hill | 1884 | [All rights reserved].

8°: [i]-xv, [1], [1]-196 p., illus.

Contents: [i-ii], Half title page, "The Blowpipe | In Chemistry, Mineralogy, And Geology," verso "Works By The Same Author."; [iii-iv], Title page, verso "London: | Printed by J.S. Virtue And Co., Limited, | ..."; [v], Letter in German addressed to Bruno Kerl.; [vi], Blank.; [vii]-viii, "Preface."-dated May 1884.; [ix]-xii, "Introduction."; [xiii]-xv, "Contents."; [1 pg], Blank.; [1]-190, Text.; [191]-196, "Index."

Very scarce. A good work describing the blowpipe and its use in chemistry, mineralogy, and geology. The text is divided into 12 chapters and covers the manufacturing of blowpipes, construction of the lamps that supply the flame, supports and other apparatus, reagents, simple mineral analysis, reduction of metals, etc. It ends with examples showing the steps taken in the analysis of some minerals performed at the Freiberg Bergakademie.

Bibliographical references: Bolton, Bibliography of Chemistry, 1893: p. 73. • Engelmann, Bibliotheca Historico-Naturalis, 1846: p. 241. • NUC.

4. English, 1889 [2nd edition].
The Blowpipe in Chemistry, Mineralogy and Geology, containing all known methods of anhydrous analysis, many working examples, and instructions for making apparatus, by Lieut.-Colonel W.A. Ross ... Second edition, revised and enlarged. London, C. Lockwood and Son, 1889.

8°: xv, 214 p., 120 illus., plates (folded). Very scarce.

Bibliographical references: NUC.

5. English, 1905 [Reprint].
The Blowpipe in Chemistry, Mineralogy and Geology, containing all known methods of anhydrous analysis, many working examples, and instructions for making apparatus, by Lieut.-Colonel W.A. Ross ... Reprint of the 2nd (1889) edition. London, C. Lockwood and Son, 1905.

8°: xv, 214 p., illustrations, folding plate, folding table. Very scarce.

Bibliographical references: NUC.

6. German, 1889 [German transl.].
Lothrohr in der Chemie und Mineralogie. Leipzig, 1889.

8°: 216 p. Translation of The Blowpipe in Chemistry, Mineralogy and Geology (2nd ed., London, 1889). Very scarce.

Bibliographical references: Burchard, History of Blowpipe Analysis, 1984.

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