Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-12-08
Definitions.

Cdr0on is IounQ IN nature Ia tnree
forms as charcoal and similar sub
stances; as graphite, which is used in
making lead pencils and as diamonds,
which are simply crystallized carbon.
IL forms large part of all animal
and vegetable substances. Coal, wood,
and woody substances are largely COM
posed of it. 1t is the element which
gives value TO substances used as fuel.
Charcoal, which is largely composed
OF free carbon, is produced by burning
wood in partially smothered fire. The
process releases the carbon from other
elements with which it is combined,
and retains it by excluding the oxygen
OF the air, with which 1t would other
wise unite and escape as carbonic acid
gas.
II a piece OF wood is placed in sui
phuric acid and allowed TO remain for
some time it becomes black. The acid
removes the other elements of the
wood and leaves the carbon.
Ifs piece of glass is held over the
flame of candle it becomes smoked"
or covered with minute particles of car
bon. which escape faster than they can
be consumed.
All plants contain a large proportion
OF carbon. In cotton fiber 1t is almost
pure. Sugar, which is product of
plants, is torty-two per cent. carbon,
by weight.
SAIGON is the most abundant solid
substance known. 1t forms about one
fourth OF the solid parts OF the earth.
1t is commonly combined with oxygen
in the form OF silica. Quartz rock is a
variety Of silica. 1t forms large part
OF granite rock, sandstone. and COM
mon sand. 1t serves, like an acid, TO
unite with bases, forming what are
called sillcates. Common glass is a
mixture of different silicates Clay is
chiefly composed OF silicate of alumina.
Silica is found Id plants, particularly
in the grasses. 1t gives to the s,aIks
and branches greater frmness and
hardness
Sulphur is familiar substance, com
monty known as birthstone. or flowers
of sulphur. With hydrogen and oxy-
gen it forms sulphuric acid This acid
forms great variety of useful salts,
as sui phate OF potash, sulphate OF hme,
etc.
Sulphur is always found in plants
and animals. The strong flavor OF such
vegetables as turnips and onions is due
to the presence Of sulphur.
Phosphorus is a soft, yellow sub
stance. which unite. with the oxygen
OF the air and takes fire so easily that II
can only be Kept under water. 1t Is
used in manufacturing matches. 1t com
blues with hydrogen and oNl gen, form
ing phosphoric acid. a substance Of
great Importance in fertilizers. 1t forms
about ten per cent. OF the homes of an
lmal,, III the form If calcium phos-
phate.
Chlorine l. a gas which is found only
With hydrogen it produces hydrocho-
rio or murlatic acid; with sodium, So
dunn chloride or common sat.
fota>siuDl is soft. light substance.
whose affinity for oxygen is SO strong
that it can only he kept pure in some
substances containing no oxygen.
When placed upon a piece of ice it
burns freely.
With oxygen it forms potash. and
with oxygen and b, drogen caustic pot
ash. Potash unites with acids produc-
ing Il variety OF salts of potash. as
chlolate Of potash, sulphate ofpotash,
etc.
Sodium is somewhat similar to po-
tassium. 1t forms Il great variety Of
salts. Of which common salt is famil-
lar example. Cau,tic soda is prepared
i'll large quantities for manufacturing
soap.
Calcium is common substance,
found in combination with other ele-
meuts, from which it is not easily sep
arated. In limestone and marble it is
united with carbouic acid, forming cal
cium carbonate.
Compounds Of calcium constitute
large part of tue shells Of clans, oys-
tiers, and other shel-fsh, aud also Of
the bones of all animals.
Magnesium is metal found in some
rocks. The pure metal burns brilliant
ly, and Is sometimes used for illuminat-
ing purposes when a very strong light
is required. 1t is found to some ex-
tent in plants and animals. With oxy-
gen it forms magnesla.
aluminium is somewhat similar to
magnesium. II is used to small ex-
tent in making jewelry and ornamental
work. The sapphire and ruby are beau
tful forms OF alumna. 1t exists large
ly in common clay in combination with
silica.
Iron is found i'll many parts Of the
earth in the form Of ore, which is puri-
fed and used for manufacturing pur-
poses. 1t exists to some extent in all
soils. 1t gives clayey soils their dark
brown color Winslow's Principles Of
aqriculture.