Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-05-27


propose to devote them to the examination of scientific
prncples-such hourly developed, but in conse
ceve the attention they people being sats
ed with results and not taking the trouble to inquire into
must be superficial In pursuing the course proposed
have expectation of becoming star ('*' in the
galaxy Of Science but shall be content to occupy the posi-
ton OF satellite, keeping within its proper orbit Should
series of short articles such have referred to- be
cepabe to yourselves and readers will contribute them,
promising that they shall be free from OstentatiOn.
CHEMICAL ACTION PoNDERoUs BODIES &c-An metals
are subject to the action Of acids while of them,
(such as sodium and potasu are quickly changed by ex
posure the oxygen of the atmosphere Or by their
mersion in water instantly ignite and consumed. Now
apreeabv to the laws of nature not an atom of matter can
0e destroyed and all that chemical action do is to
change the character of what operates In perectng
these changes which generally gradual to
the notice of many number of curious and interesting
facts eXhbitedsuch the luton Of electricity
calorc, and of the The latter principle how
ever much better eXempfed in animal than in mineral
substances and hence may have occasion to refer to
of hem in substantaon of my views respecting chemical
action ponderOus bodies. But it is not my wish to
extend any article to unreasonable length proceed
to the matter under consideration.
piece of ron for instance when exposed to the action
of the atmosphere soon produces on its surface peroxide
of the metal generally know rust AS the oxygen of the
air has tendency to generate acids and ode
and has strong affinity for ponderous bodies its action up
the iron accounts for the change which has been produ
ced and its surface This position presume, will
not be denied as the result OF the process described
must be familiar to all. Now, by such action OF
ygen on the iron, it is equally demonstrate that
considerable portion of hydrogen is produced while
the polarity magnetic character the iron becomes
tive in greater degree Should solution of suphuric acid
be applied to the IRON it will hasten its decomposton in
its emission of hydrogencause it to part rapidly
with its caoric while adding greater power to its magnetic
properties These facts we'll known that would
be out of place. this enlightened day, attempt to
trovert them But may be asked what becomes of these
new principles which brought into power by the agen
cles OF which speak, The question is terse and proper
and will cheerully it The peroxide Cor rus is
almost worthless in any of the arts which have yet been dis
taken up by the EARTH and in course of tme as the laws of
Nature operate Them enter into cOmponens,
ably to her Dictates As to the hydrogen which produced
as there no gasOmeter to conne it, at gas works
in Wilmington seeks the upper regions space through
which it has difficulty in ascending and dusing itself
agreeaby to fixed laws AS to calorc and electricity they
governed by similar code; but the limits fixed for this
article will not allow me to 60 into details. must how
ever permitted to remark that hydrogen gas producibe
from ANIMAL vegetable, well mineral substances,
in consequence Of its inferior gravity capable of
coming great forceeven the atmospheric pressure which
is Is lbs to the square inch and hence balloons by its
power made to ascend through the air if confined
beneath water, denser medium the quantity of gas
would much than double its power in rising through
it, To give hydrogen its greatest power to
ssance to specific gravity of sufficient extent to
ted to be an anpoSS1Ohy to form perfect vacuum, by all
the arts we know Of we must content ourselves with coming
as near to it and which, in most cases, will
answer to demonstrate principes.*
AS test of what have assumed let take glass bot
bladder-weigh them ali together in carefully adjusted
SCALE and will admit that they all weigh together exactly
b. Now let us unite IN the bottle, the acid and filings
bladder, firmly by it's opening, around the neck
of the bottle Now, having barrel with head out
filed with water let drop the bottle into it, and it will
Immediately sink to the bottom. That hope, is plain
enough but hoao long aclU remain there answer just
long be for the action of the acid
iron to produce in the bladder, sufficient quantity of by
drogen will dsplace water enough to permit it, with its
attachment to rise to the surface The bottle may at
particular point of me in consequence of suction be vac
atng at the bottom but any agitation of the water
would release it, and not content with merely reaching the
surface, large portion of the bladder would exhibit Itself
above the water. Now, the bladder inflated with hy
oge has displaced its bulk of ,oaer to effect its rising
tn of twill
the .oote displace its bulk Of atmospheric air. and that
when again placed i'll the SCALE in consequence of its spe
cic gravity being decreased will weigh less at the
commencement Of the experiment. Such the facts
relation to the evolution of hydrogen from minerals pom
derous bodies and which may be called the minimum, while
the action produced by animal matter state of decom
position the nGI each aiding and assisting the 9th
agreeaby to the laws of Nature which all true phi
losophy is based Now does not this demonstration
tain the theory advanced in my article of the 18th inst?
| "Suttclt Gd I'd, NGttTG qu0d pOSclt." G II.
*The invention of Torrice in 1648 still retaining tn
of the " Toricean Vacuum is allowed to be tn
most perfect that be formed but not ap
plcable to general use in chemical demonstrations.