Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-01-11
Lecture on Water,

Clemson, at the Smithsonian, on Water, It's
connexions and constituents, was attended by
4 numerous audience, though not to the full
capacity Of the hall 1t was illustrated by
several experiments exhibiting the formation
of the elementary gases the production OF
water by combustion of hydrogen gas, and the
explosion arising from igniting mixtures OF
thi, and oxy zen. The following contains the
substance Of the lecture:
Those who are of opinion that this earth
is a heterogeneous conglomerate Of indefinite
character are greatly mistaken. The fact Is
quite the contrary As far as our knowledge
extends there are sixty-two or three simple
substances which, combined in simple, def
mite, and mathematical proportions, form the
entire material of this earth. Some are very
rare, and are found in small quantities,
whilst limited number constitute the great
mass of matter.
OF Il simple substance we have an exam
pie in sulphur of lead; Of compound substan-
cc> examples are wood, plaster and water.
In our latitude the normal state Of water is
liquid. As you approach the poles it is more
, frequently solid. 1t also exists in the state
of yapor, and is always present in the at
moSpherc, and thus fills space seventeen
hundred times greater than when liquid
Water constitutes one half the weight of the
globe and without it, universal sterility and
death would prevail.
When the thermometer falls water increa-
scs in density. until it reaches a certain point
a few degrees above the freezing point, when
it augmcnts in volume and finally crystalizes
In passing from one state to the other It's
force is irresistible: and this action out of the
tropics has decided influence upon the con-
fi.ura,nn Of the surface Of the earth. 1t en-
tcrS creyiceS. congcalS, and thus immense
masses Of rock are cleft 1t fills the pores of
rocks and reduces them to powder. They
are thus disintcgratcd. subsequently decOm-
posed. and soil formed The south sides of
the mountains are by frequent thawings and
trcczingS. thus rendered less precipitous than
the north sides. As there is always Il tendcn-
cy of high lands To depression, the cOnse-
qucnt elevation of low lands is cOnsc-
Qucncc. Soils are thus carried by the acting
atmospheric agents to a great distance.
The form Of CRYSTALS Of water may be seen
in snow by the naked eye, better by Il magni-
fer and they resolve themselves into the
hrxagonal prism. With the air il penetrates
the soil and conveys food to the roots Of
plants. Water has existed from all time, as
it is found combined in the Oldest rocks. and
NAV BE- said to be omnipresemt. forming part
Of the composition Of all organic matter. As
Il remedial agent there is not one so neccssa-
~ III Ill" matcria medIca.
~ Der.-All bodies radiate heat in
straight lines. When the earth cools as il
does of a clear night the humidity of the AZ
mOsphrrc is prccipitated in the form of dew.
The deposits OF dew never take place when
the hcayens are clouded Frost is frozen
dew. and the forms Of the crystals of water
are frequently very distinct III frost. rs seen
on twigs, leaves. DC.
Water is never found pure III nature
Pure water can only be obtained by distilla-
ton. That which falls az the end Of Il rainy
sucl comes nearest TO a state of purity
Tha, which fails first after drouth washes
the atmuSphcrr and brings down saline and
gaseous impurities. such as nitric acid, am
monia, carbonic acid. salt &c. These sub
stances are decided fertilizers.
Spring Water, however limpid. always con-
tainS impurities. both saline and gaseous.-
This NAV be verified BY evaporation.
Rirer Water. generally, holds in suspen-
sion organic and mineral substances, besides
those that are held in solution. Irrigation
fcrtlizes by means of the salts, carths, or
ganir matter, and infusoria which are con-
veyed To the soil
sea Water contains n number of saline