Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-03-12
ORIGINAL PAPERS,
FAMILIAR CHEMICAL LETTERS.
REsREe1runLr pnnIeArEn 10 MIss LArnA urnrnr
written for The Spirit Of the A.


FAMILIAR CHEMICAL LETTERS.
REsPEeTFumr DEDICATED TO MISS LAURA MURPHY.
ARTICLE XIII.
,Selcaium. This rare substance was dis
covered by Bcrzelius in 1917, during an
examination Of q sample Of Sulphuric acid
manufactured at Gripshom in Sweden
The sulphur used in the manufacture Of
this sulphuric acid is procured from the
irs,;l- y Stesssof Tahlun. and the acid OBJ
taincd from il deposits a red matter, the
peeuliarities of which we're traced to dis
tiuct and previously unknown substance to
wl;9h its discoverer gave the name of Sele-
n n. This singular substance has been
tectcd by Stronger and Rose, in sever
Il metallic ores from the mines Of the Hartz
Mountains, and also in some Of the volcan.
10 products of the Lissari Islands. This
substance with all its compounds is only
interesting to the scientific chemist 1t is
characterized by cxhaling, when strongly
heated, peculiar and highly diffusable
odor of decaying horscradish, but for fur
ther description Of Selenium and its com
pounds sec some chemical text book, as up
to this time It has been applied to no par.
ticular use. We will therefore proceed
with the investigation Of the next in or
der, Of the nonmetallic elcments PhospLo-
rus. This substance so called from its
property Of shining in the dark (from two
Greek words siguifying to bear light) is
found in the three Kingdoms of nature, but
most abundantly as a component of the
bones Of verthrated animals, in which it
is almost always present as phosphoric acid
combined with various bases 1t was dis
covered by au alchemist named Brandt, in
the year 1863, whilst attempting to prepare
liquid capable Of converting silver into
gold Since the introduction Of Lucifc1
Matches the consumption Of Phosphorus
has increased to an enormous extent 1t
is computed that Paris alone produces 200,-
600 lbs. annually. Phosphorus is gener-
ally prepared from the superphosphate Of
lime, produced by acting upon powdered
bone earth, by diluted sulphuric acid
Phosphorus, wh,n ruro, is nsoluble in wa
tor, and thcreforo tastelcss, il is Of pale
yellow color, nearly transparent, flexible al
common temperatures, but at 80 very
brittle. Its sp. gravity is 10 or 90 L
is insoluble in water but is sparingly dis
solved in alcohol, ether, oils, and naptha
---This substance has been used in medicine
but It's effects are very uncertain; instan
ccs are on record where / J grains have
proved fatal, whilst on the other hand, i
is said that from to II grains have beer
swallowed without producing any injuriou
effect Arsenic is frequently found to ex
ist in much of the phosphorus Of commerce
The manufacturers and workers in pho'
phorus, arc subject to peculiar, and mo;
remarkable disease. The first symptom {
which is toothache, while the jaw is ge
ting into a carious state, and the diseaS
silently creeps Oh, until the sufferer b.
comes a loathsome object, or dies, bccon
ing unable to open his jaws, of which ii
bones are nccrosod. The cause and cur
or prevention Of this horrible disease is y
to be discovered. The oxides of Phosph
rus are very uninteresting aud the on
compounds of this substance with hydr
gen, deserving of notice, is the gas callc
Phophuretied hydrogen. This gas WI
discovered by Gcngembre in 1888, it
ccluress, has n naus. Gus odor like onion
or according to some, like that of putr
fish. 1t is prepared by boiling phosph
rus in q strong solution of lime or potash
retort the neck Of which is placed uud
water, Gas is evolved and as the bubbl
break on the water they take fire, burnir
with bright yellow light aecompani
with q ring of grcyish smoke which d
ates as its rises and exhibits curious I
tary motion. The composition of this 81
L = e
with 8 Of Hydrogen. The substanC
formed by the combining Of Phosphor
with the other nonmetallc elements arc
very little interest, and we will thereto
proceed with our next in order, which
CarL0a The purest form of this vC
important and abundant element is IL
lustrous brilliant and valuable mineral t
diamond Ii was first discovered in As
in tho provinces Of Golconda and Visapc
In Bengal About the year 1928 damon
were discovered in the district of Serro-,
irio in Brazil The ground in which I'll
are embedded in Brazil has the most p
feet resemblance to that Of the East Indi
where the diamonds occur. 1t is so
or friqble conglomerate, consisting chic
of ferruginous sand mixed with yellow Q
BLUSH quartz, schistose jasper, and gra
of gold disseminated with ogilist iron q
mineral matters entirely different Fl
those that constitute the neghborng mo
tains. On the river Jigitonhonha in
district of Sierra Dofria lies TIE celebra
mines Of Maudraga The cascdlho or {
noad grdcei is removed from the char
of the river during the dry season
formed into little mounds Of from ID t
tons each, preparatory to being scare
during the rainy season. The washir
carried on beneath an oblong shed
means Of a stream of water admitted in
termined quantities into boxes contain
the cascalho. A negro washer is alta,
to each box, inspectors arc placed at I
lar distances on elevated stools, and "
ever nego bas found diamond lie
up and exhibits it. If it weighs ia
ats he receives his liberty. Each squ
workmen consists Of 200 negroes W
surgeon and priest
Diamonds are said to be found also il
interior Of the Island Of Borneo, on
river Succadun, and also from the PENN
Of Malacca. The most abs olute and
stant character Of diamonds is degr
hardness superior to that of every mi
whence diamond scratch all other bodies