Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-10-26
AGRICULTURAL GEOLOGY.

Oxus is the Greek word for acid. Gnomai, in Greek,
nake. Hencethe literal meaning OF oxygen il aed
maker Combined with sulphur, it forms suphurc acd
with nitrogen nitric acid with carbon, carbonic scd &C.
Respiration combustion, and fermentation the three Pfn-
cpa operations producing the combinations Of oxygen and
carbon the results carbonic acid.
Acids combine readily with METALS earths, and akaes-as
ron lime ana potash BY chemists these combinations are
called SALTS designated by the termination ate Sulphurc
acid combining with various bases produces suphaes nj
tc, nrates; carbonc, carbonates SuPhate Of lime 10
gypsum plaster Of Paris sphae Of iron, coPPeras Of
soda gaube salts Of magnes, epson salts The carbon
ate Of lime is common limestone Marbles chalk and many
beautiful crystals Carbonates Of iron, copper and lead are
ores Of those metals.
About century ago water was found to be composed Of
oxygen and hydrogen and air of oxygen and nitro
gen. About half century since oxygen found by Sir
Humphrey Davy be element Of rocks Of Of Soils
as it was of the alkaes potash and soda The other ee
mens in earhs and akaiss combined with oxygen,
found by the same great chemist be metals very peculiar
in character.
II hence appears that oxygen s element in air, EARTH
and water existing abundantly in soid liquid, and aerial
FORMS In the whole constitutes nearly half Of globe
1t IT, of course the most abundant element in the material
world It is also the most important agent in producing
changes in matter essential to human existence very
appropriately called yuL air. neither animal life any
life can exist without H. 1t Is no less essential to combustion
than to e also acts with great energy upon metals and
other solid substances In this action produces three very
large and very important classes Of acds and
salts. Iron is the oxyde of iron; the doss Of lead,
oxyde Of lead burnt e the oxyde Of calcium pure pot
ASH the oxyde Of potassium Soda theoxyde Of sodium
silex or flint the oxyde Of secium. The combination Of
one part oxygen and four of nitrogen constitute tho atmo
sphere three parts oxygen and nitrogen form nitric acid
aquafortis Combined with other substances, it forms
merous acids. Sapetc the nitrate of potash. The argt
quantity Of oxygen receives from the nitric acid fits it for
material in gunpowdersivng to that powerful agent it
principal power.
plate tumbIer and scrap of paper, with little water
will enable any teacher parent to perform experiment
oxygen equally simple instructive and interesting In deep
plate pour On the water place scrap of thick
paper piece Of cork light substance that another
piece Of paper ocotton moistened with oil OnghtDg the
per or cotton place large empty tumber. The cobus
ton continues for few seconds, and when it is exnguished
the water occupies about fifth the space in the tumb
showing the necessity of oxygen for combuson and that it
constitutes about fifth of the air breathe. What man.
woman or child would like 10 be Familiarity acquainted
with an element abundant and agent active oxygen
especially when such acquaintance equally simple
full and delightful