Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-06-28

the earth, which follow the alterations OF
day and night, and the vicissitudes Of the
seasons. By these alterations and changes,
the vapour is caused to fall (presipitated)
in the form Of rain, snow, hail, dew, or
white frost, according to circumstances.
AS such changes of temperature are more
frequent on the land than on the ocean,
the water which falls on the former in
either ofthese forms is greater in quantity
than that which falls on equal surfaces OF
the latter. Thus by a wise and benevo-
lent Providence, the water ofthe ocean is
continually furnishing vapour, which is
precipitated on the land for the support OF
vegetation and the supply Of springs, and
whose excess is poured back into the
ocean in streams and rivers.
Water has been found by chemists to be
a compound substance, made up of two
elements. One OF these, which forms
8-9hs Of its weight, is the gas already
mentioned under the name of oxygen the
other, peculiar gas, known by the name
of hydrogen.
Hydrogen, when free, is the lightest Of
all known bodies, rising and floating in at
mospheric air it not only combines with
oxygen, to form water, but with carbon TO
form great variety of compounds-ggase-
Gus, liquid, viscid, and solid. 1t also
combines with nitrogen, and forms gas
known by the name of ammonia, which is
well known by the peculiar smell itglVes
to spirits of hartshorn liquid ammo
nia.)
Hydrogen also combines with sulphur,
forming gas known by the name OF sui
phuretted hydrogen this exists in the at
mosphere, but in such small quantities as
only to be detected by the incest chemical
tests. 1t combines in like manner with
phosphorus, forming phosphure,ted hydro
gen gas, whose presence in the air is occa-
sionaly perceptible.
Oxygen, as we haze seen, unites with
carbon, to form gas which we have call
ed carbonic acid.
This receives the latter part Of its name
from its similarity in properties 10 an eX-
tensive class of compound bodies, known
by the name ofthe acids. The greaterpart
Of these, like carbonic acid, are comblna-
tions of inf1ammablc bodies with oxygen.
The most important of these in reference
to our present object, are the sulphurlc
and phosphoric acids; named from the
two substances Sulphur and phosphorous)
which are their basis. MurIatic acid may
also be mentioned here although its. COM
position is of different character. Oxy-
gen unites with other bodies to a class OF
compounds known under the name OF
oxides.
The acids unite with carths, alkalis,
and metallic oxides, to form class OF
compounds known under the general
name of salts.-Thesc are named from the
two substances which enter into their
composition: thus, the salt formed OF
sulphuric acid and the earth lime, is call
ed sulphate of lime. The substances
which unite with acids to form salts, are
called the basis of the respective salts.
Of these bases, the alkalis, it is only nc
cessary to know the names Of two, namely,
potassa and soda, and to be aware that their
distinctive properties are: to possess an
acrid taste, a caustic operation, to render
oils capable Of mixing with water, and to
neutralize the properties Of acids.
The earth which the chemists call by the
name of silex or silica, is found almost pure
in flint and rock chrystal; it is also almost
pure in sharp colourIess sands, and is by iar
the larger part of sands of every description
So far as the farmer need know its proper.
ties it is hard, rough to the touch, has nc
attraction for water, which it permits to tlIteI
, through, or cvaporate from it, with the great
est ease. 1t is capable of uniting with the
e other in compounds which are called SILL
=, Gates, and is the only earth which enters
g into the formation of soils uncombined with
4 the others or with other elements.
The earth which chemists call by the
/ name of alumina, is so named because 1t /:
obtained by them in pure form from the
Il well known salt called alum, OF which 1t J:
r the basis. Its most marked characteristic
is Elasticity: tha, is 10 say, it may be formed
into paste with water, will then easily re-
S ccivc any form which may be given it, ant
s retain that form unaltercd, even by vlolen
y heat. 1t never exists in soils unmlxed, bu
: in intimate association, or more probably
J. chemical combination with SILICA, it Is tn
: well-known substance called clay, or argil
h laceous earth. White clays arc this combl
nation nearly pure, and colorcd clays Otter
,f contain it with no other addition than metal
: lie colourng matter. Clay retains the plas
e tic property of alumina it therefore cause
soils to be retentive of moisture; and whel
Il they dry, make them form tough c'ods o