Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-08-22

acid, one atom of chlorine united With seven
ofoxygen. OF these compounds only two re-
qnlre to be noticed, viz /: hypochlorous and
chlore acid; the other substances mentioned
above as being compounds of oxygen with
chlorine are only important to the scientific
chest. Hypochlorous acid The first mention
of this gas is made in the philosophical
transactions (London) for 1911 !; ii is here.
described by Davy under the hame Of en-
chlorine. This gas is. a far stronger bleach.
ing agent than chlorine itself. it is also very
yolatileas we'll as very deliouescent Il.
compounds are called hypochloritss Las this
gas is very explosive snbstancs il should
5 never be RrepaEed but y hose .herosgfzsx.l
acquainceuStsIthf Y chskdcter. The princi-
pal interest attached to this gas is, that, it is
. supposed BY some to- exist in bleaching
powder. Choric acid. the other compound
mentioned, is interesting to use, as it is by
means of this gas that we are enabled 70
make chlorate of potash, the substance az
stated IN article I'd, from which we prepare
oxygen gas for experiment Chlclic acid
when pure is one of the most powerful de-
oxodizng agents and is always decomposad
by heat into muriatic acid. We have now
concluded the study Of thecompound ofoxy-
gen with chlorine, and will now examine the
element nextin order of arrangement, name
ly Iodine This is substance peculiarly
worthy of careful examinatanfrom the use
tulness of the application ofnlany Of its COM
pounds; Gay Sussac and Sir Humphrey Davy
examined this body very carefully, and the
Iattop its I
two Greek words meaning deep. violet color
All the Iodine of commerce is obtained from
Kelp, which is the fused ash cb.ained by
burning sea weeds, and is principally manu-
featured IN lie western Islands Of Scotland,
and on the west coast Of Ireland. The sea
weeds which are most productive of this
substance are the long stems of the FAcus
Palmatas, but traces Of iodine have been
discovered in nearly all plants growing in or
near to the sea; traces Of it are also found
In the water Of the sea itself, in sponge, in
several saline springs and in the coarser va
rletles OF common salt. Vauquelin detected
1t IN some ofthe silver ores from Mexico
1t has also been detected in cod liver oil,
and in the oil Of the liver Of the skate. As
however all of the iodine of commerce is
prepared as previously stated from Kelp, it
may not be out of place here to give an out
line Of the mode Of procedure in extracting
iodine from this substance Kelp NAV be
divided into two portions, one of which is
soluble in water and the other insolube, and
gdg Thsg ths tlaf SassaRGs 5 iga i j dSnad 4 MM MM
potash, soda and iodine. This liquor is
then evaporated to a certain strength. durin G
the evaporation certain salts crystaise on
the surface of the liquor, these are drawn
out by means Of wooden spades; this op-
Grafton is called fishing and the salts oj-
tanned fshed salts The liquor being now
evaporated is set aside in large vessels called
Coolers to crystalse: crystals of the sui
phate and muriate of potash are. thus OBJ
tanned and there remains liquor called the
residual liquor that is not crystaiisable ;
this liquor contains all the iodine in combi-
nation with sodium forming an iodide of So
dunn. But here it is still combined. How
are we to obtain it in a free state 2 This IS
done by mixing the liquor with black oxide
! of manganese, which mixture IS then trans
fered to still to which is adapted a con-
densing apparatus As has been stated, the
mixture Of iodide of sodium and black OK
ide of manganese is placed in a still, sui
phuric acid is then poured on he.mixture
and the lid of the still being closed, fire is
4 now kindled and the iodine is left uncom
bined, and as this body is very volatile it es
capes as a gas, which is condensed in the
receivers (these are made Of glass; placed
for its reception. The action which take
place in the still, IS explained thus: sulphu
, ric acid has greater love, or as chemist
say affinity, for sodium than iodine ha'
| Immediately therefore on the contact {
! these substancesthe sui phuric acid seizes th
= sodium, which, at the same time derives on
= atom Of oxygen from the black oxide
: manganese, converting the sodium into sod
2 which, with the sui phuric acid, makes on
IS atom of the sui phate of soda; whilst the i
e dine, deprived ot its companion, is hberate
r and is condensed, as has been stated, in ii
IF glass receivers. What beautiful exanp
b of the gigantic sway Of chemical science :
rs Who would suppose that from those lit
W flowers Of the sea tossed like bubble {
h. the ocean, by every breeze that blows al
O. every wave which rufBes its surface, cou
e, be prepared by the agency Of the chemi
ch substance which to the medical man is o
IS. of the most valuable OF lis remedial agent
rs. to the calico printer one Of the most nee
ne sary colors; and need it be said that TO I
he Daguerrotypists it is the very sheet anef
or of his most beautiful art. It is only frC
In the study of such facts as these thatwe :
on led to feel and perceive the real power a
of exultation Of the chemist--and Of his s
Mt. pendous SCIENCE. The subject OF lod
~, will be completed in next article.
oh LIGNITE