Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-11-26

Interesting Philosophical Fuels The change
Of properties which takes place when chemical
attraction acts, is not confined to metals. butts
general result IN every case where different bo-
dies are brought into this state of combination or
chemical union. Frequently we find that THE
properties of each body are totally changed; and
uics rersa. For instance, that useful and agreea-
bic substance, culinary salt. which is not only
harmless, but wholesome, and absolutely neces-
sarv to the well being Of man, ~ composed OF
two formidable ingredients. either OF which taken
into the stomach, prove fatal to life; nne oI these
is a metal and the other an air; the former is
called sodium the latter chlorine. When pre-
sented TO each other, the violence OF their ma
ture is manifested b, their Immediately bursting
out into flame. and instantly they are both de.
prived Of their vrulence. Can any thing be
more striking than the change Of properties in
this case; and who could have supposed that Gu
lnary salt is composed Of metal united TO an
air? The medicine called Glauber's salt Is an0.
thcr instance: it is composed Ut two caustic pol
sons OF different kinds: one called oil OF vitrln,
aud me other barila or soda. There are also
two substances known to chemists which are dis
gustinsly bitter liquids; one is called nitrate of
silver. and the other bylrosulphate Of soda: when
mixed, they form a compound Of considerable
sweetness.
Blu, the atmosphere which we breathe is the
most extraordinary of all instances; it must be
surprising, to those who are unacquainted with
the fact, that atmospheric air, indispensable as 1t
is 10 life, is composed at the same ingredients IS
that most violent and destructive liquid called
aqua forts, or nitric acid. This powerful acid,
b. being made to aci upon sugar, the sTeetest oi
sill things, produces substance intensely bitter
to the taste. Char coal Is of all known suOstanc.
es, the most difficult To convert into vapOr; SO
much SD, indeed, that the conversion has never yet
been decidedly effected: il is also very solid
substance; and diamond, which is nothing but
crystalized charcoal, is one of the hardest bodies
IN nature. Sulphur, in the solid state, ~ also q
hard substance. and TO hold It in yapor requires
hish temper AZURE But when these two substan-
ccs. carbon and sulphur. are made to combine
chemically, so as tn fnrm the substance called
bisulphuret Of carbon, their properties are strik-
inglv changed Instead of the compound being
hard, it Is thin liquid, aud isnot known to freeze
or solidify at any degree of cold that can be pro-
duced. Instead of the compound being difficult
to ovaporize it is, Of all liquids. one of the most
evaporabIe.
Charcoal is the blacklist substance with which
We are acquainted: sulphur is of the most lively
yellow hue; but the compound IS as colorless as
water. A new smell and taste are acquired,
and, in word. there is not one point OF resem-
blance with the component. These fac IS are
strikingly illustrative of the change Of properties
which follows on the cxertion Of chemical attrac.
ton between the ultimate particles Of bodies.
DonOrdn'S Chemistry.