The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-12-19
From Donoyen's Chemistry.
INTERESTING PHILOSOPHICAL

The change of properties which taket
place when chemical attraction acts, is no
confined to metals, but is II general resul
IN every case where different bodies ar,
brought into this state of combination OIL
chemical union. Frequently we FIND tina
the properties of each body are totall,
changed; and that substances, {. ON being
energetic and violent in their nature, be
come inert and harmless, and uce rersa
For instanre, that useful and agreeable
substance, culinary salt, which is not only
harmless, hut wholesome and absolutely
necessary to the well -heing of man, is
composed of two formidable Ingredients
either OF which taken into the stomach
prove fatal to life one of these is metal
the other an air; the former is called so
daum, the latter chlorine. When presented
to each other the violence of their nature
Is manifested by their immediately bursting
out INTO flame, and instantly they are
both deprived of their virulence. Can any
thing he more striking Than the change of
properties in this case ? and who could
have supposed that culinary salt is compos-
ed OF metal united TO an air? The medI-
cine called Glauber SALT is another instance:
it IS composed of two caustic peisons of
different kinds; one called oil Of vtrol, and
the other barrllla or soda. There are also
two substances known to chemists, which
are disgustingly bitter liquids one is called
nitrate ofsllver, and the other hydrosulphate
OF soda; when mixed they form a compound
OF considerable sweetness. But the atnos-
phere which we breathe is the most extra
ordinary of all instances. 1t must be sur
prlsing, to those who are unacouainted
with the fact, that atmospheric air. indis-
pensable as it is to life, is composed of the
same ingredients as that most violent and
destructive liquid called aqua torfis. or
nitric acid. This powerful acid, by being
made to act upon sugar, the sweetest of all
things, produces substance intensely Bit
ter to the taste. Charcoal is of all known
substances the most difficult TO convert into
Vapor; SO much so, indeed, that the CONVEX
sion mas never yet been decidedly effected :;
1t is also very solid substance and dia-
mona, which is nothing but chrvstalized
CHARCOAL, Is one of the hardest bodies in
nature. Sulphur in the solid state. is also
hard substance, and to hold it in ynnor.
requires high temperature. But when
these TWO substances, carbon and sulphur,
are made to combine chemically so as to
form the substance called bisulphuret or
carbon, their properties are strikingly
changed Instead of the compound being
hard, it is thin liquid, and is not known
to freeze or TO liquify at any degree of cold
that can be produced. Instead of the COM
pound being difficult to cvaporize, it is, of
all liquid, one Of the most evaporable.-
Charcoal is the blacklist substance with
which we are acquainted; sulphur is of the
most lively yellow hue Int the cnmnnuu1
is as colorless as wn.er. new smell and
taste are acquired, and in a word, there is
not one point of resemblance with the COM
ponent. These facts are strikingy illus
trative OF the change of properties which
follows on the exertion of chemical attrac-
ton between the ultimate particles Of bodies.