Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-02-08
AGRICULTURAL GEOLOGY.
BY JOSIAH HoLBlOOK.
No. VIII.-ULTIMArE PRINCIPLES.

Oxygen, calcium, car ON, sulphur, phosphorus,
nitrogen hydrogen, chlorine, and hourine,
ultimate Pdncipies of mattcr->imple elements,
nesery't tro' uI,os"d or rendered more simple
They all enter into lime formations. Ok, gen aud
calcium are the elements OF quick lime oxygen
and en- bon form cnrhonic acid Tie oxide Of cal-
c um, combined with tarboni, ncid, forms the
carbonate of lme-thc material of extensive
mountain ranges, of limestone III ali its varir-
ties of texture color,aud other properties. Coral
formations, extending many thousan miles in
different partS of the arth, are the carbonate of
lime, and used tor the ordinary purposes of that
mineral Marbles, existing in~~cycrn hundred
varieties, are also carhonates of lime. So is
chalk. So are several hundred crystalline forms
of this important element Of our globe. These
crystals tn ugh presented under two or three
h ndi ed different shapes, can all be reduced to
ON shape, shown in rhomhic spnr, which, if
broken into fragments smaller han the head of
n PIN, presents III every fragment RI ombc or
diamond shape crystal.
All the earbonates of lime are composed of
three simple elements or ultimate principles, viz !:
Oxygen, the great supporter Of combustion car
bon, the principle element of coal III all its vaIie-
tics whether mineral CT vegetable of course the
most important combustillc upon our globe :;
and calcium, n metal, also combustihle. The OK
e II first exists III two combinations, viz: with
carbon and calcium; these two compounds are
IL,
producing he most abundant carbonate, and one
of the most abundant rocks and useful minerals
upon our globe
Next to the carbonntcs of lime, the suphates
are the mot abundant and useful of all lime for
nations. These are also composed of three Gle
mrnts, and the same as in the carbonatcs, except
! that sulphur takes the place of carbon. The on
ygen and the sui blur form sulphuric acid; that,
combining with the oxide of calcium, gives the
! sal late of lime. This abundant deposit of lime
! formut ms also presents very numerous appear
! anres. All the suphates of lime, or nearly so.
! G ve To the thumbnai. The carhonates yield to
! The point of the knife, but not 10 the thumh-nal.
! h. carbonatcs cfferve>ce with any sn ong acid,
! even vinegar, which ettervcscence shows what is
! called hte IN IN eye stone. which is the mou III
| piece of certain shells all shell being the car
! bonate Time. lphuric acid has u stronger
! hold in its various combinations thun most other
acids and Is hence not displaced either by ear
! bonic, muratic. nitric acid Consequently
the suphate of lime does not, like the carbonate
eHervesce with any common acid. The thumb
nail, the point of aknfe, and any common acid,
are hence sufhc ent tests, for ordinary purposes,
to distinguish the carhonatcs of lime from sui
! pilates. The sulphatc like the carbonate, APP
pears IN mauy beautiful crystalline forms.
tNrERiMENT-By collecting such varieties of
these two lime formations as any can easily
procure, and arranging them upon the mante-
piece, or IN case, beautiful "CALCAREous
CABINET will he formed. These specimens,
tested by each other. by the thumb-nail, the point
ct a knife piece of quartz or glass, any acid,
even vinegar, also y the sight, feel and taste,
viii furnish much rich instruction aud delightful
amusement I" the professor. lfany one doubts
IT., let him try the experiment. II he has 40 doubt
he will try it of course.