The chemist observes the "zone of precipitation" under a microscope. The speed of crystal growth and the final geometric shape (e.g., rhombs, sheaves, or stars) are the primary identifiers.

Unlike macro-chemical tests that rely on color changes in a test tube, micro-chemical tests focus on the formation of when a specific reagent is added to an alkaloid sample on a microscope slide. This method is highly sensitive, often requiring only a tiny fraction of the substance. Key Reagents and Their Uses

The results are compared against known standards or descriptive tables, such as those found in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) databases or the original Stephenson tables. Why This Method Still Matters

A drop of the specific reagent is added to the edge of the sample.

While modern labs use for definitive results, micro-chemical tests remain relevant because: