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The original book was published in two volumes. The format is reproduced for this e-text, except that the author’s preface (originally in Volume I) and the combined index (Volume II) are in this introductory file.

See the end of this file for notes on scientific terminology, spelling, Plates and chapter numbering.

Contents (Chapter titles only)
Volume I: Conversations I-X with detailed Contents
Volume II: Conversations XIII-XXVI with detailed Contents
General Index

CONVERSATIONS

ON

CHEMISTRY;

IN WHICH

THE ELEMENTS OF THAT SCIENCE

ARE

FAMILIARLY EXPLAINED

AND

ILLUSTRATED BY EXPERIMENTS.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

The Fifth Edition, revised, corrected, and considerably enlarged.
 

----

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN,
PATERNOSTER-ROW.

1817.

Printed by A. Strahan,
Printers-Street, London.

ADVERTISEMENT.

The Author, in this fifth edition, has endeavoured to give an account of the principal discoveries which have been made within the last four years in Chemical Science, and of the various important applications, such as the gas-lights, and the miner’s-lamp, to which they have given rise. But in regard to doctrines or principles, the work has undergone no material alteration.

London, July, 1817.

v

PREFACE.

In venturing to offer to the public, and more particularly to the female sex, an Introduction to Chemistry, the author, herself a woman, conceives that some explanation may be required; and she feels it the more necessary to apologise for the present undertaking, as her knowledge of the subject is but recent, and as she can have no real claims to the title of chemist.

On attending for the first time experimental lectures, the author found it almost impossible to derive any clear or satisfactory information from the rapid demonstrations which are usually, and perhaps necessarily, crowded into popular courses of this kind. But frequent opportunities having vi afterwards occurred of conversing with a friend on the subject of chemistry, and of repeating a variety of experiments, she became better acquainted with the principles of that science, and began to feel highly interested in its pursuit. It was then that she perceived, in attending the excellent lectures delivered at the Royal Institution, by the present Professor of Chemistry, the great advantage which her previous knowledge of the subject, slight as it was, gave her over others who had not enjoyed the same means of private instruction. Every fact or experiment attracted her attention, and served to explain some theory to which she was not a total stranger; and she had the gratification to find that the numerous and elegant illustrations, for which that school is so much distinguished, seldom failed to produce on her mind the effect for which they were intended.

Hence it was natural to infer, that familiar conversation was, in studies of this kind, a most useful auxiliary source of information; vii and more especially to the female sex, whose education is seldom calculated to prepare their minds for abstract ideas, or scientific language.

As, however, there are but few women who have access to this mode of instruction; and as the author was not acquainted with any book that could prove a substitute for it, she thought that it might be useful for beginners, as well as satisfactory to herself, to trace the steps by which she had acquired her little stock of chemical knowledge, and to record, in the form of dialogue, those ideas which she had first derived from conversation.

But to do this with sufficient method, and to fix upon a mode of arrangement, was an object of some difficulty. After much hesitation, and a degree of embarrassment, which, probably, the most competent chemical writers have often felt in common with the most superficial, a mode of division was adopted, which, though the most natural, does not always admit of being viii strictly pursued—it is that of treating first of the simplest bodies, and then gradually rising to the most intricate compounds.

It is not the author’s intention to enter into a minute vindication of this plan. But whatever may be its advantages or inconveniences, the method adopted in this work is such, that a young pupil, who should occasionally recur to it, with a view to procure information on particular subjects, might often find it obscure or unintelligible; for its various parts are so connected with each other as to form an uninterrupted chain of facts and reasonings, which will appear sufficiently clear and consistent to those only who may have patience to go through the whole work, or have previously devoted some attention to the subject.

It will, no doubt, be observed, that in the course of these Conversations, remarks are often introduced, which appear much too acute for the young pupils, by whom ix they are supposed to be made. Of this fault the author is fully aware. But, in order to avoid it, it would have been necessary either to omit a variety of useful illustrations, or to submit to such minute explanations and frequent repetitions, as would have rendered the work tedious, and therefore less suited to its intended purpose.

In writing these pages, the author was more than once checked in her progress by the apprehension that such an attempt might be considered by some, either as unsuited to the ordinary pursuits of her sex, or ill-justified by her own recent and imperfect knowledge of the subject. But, on the one hand, she felt encouraged by the establishment of those public institutions, open to both sexes, for the dissemination of philosophical knowledge, which clearly prove that the general opinion no longer excludes women from an acquaintance with the elements of science; and, on the other, she flattered herself that whilst the impressions made upon her mind, by the wonders x of Nature, studied in this new point of view, were still fresh and strong, she might perhaps succeed the better in communicating to others the sentiments she herself experienced.

The reader will soon perceive, in perusing this work, that he is often supposed to have previously acquired some slight knowledge of natural philosophy, a circumstance, indeed, which appears very desirable. The author’s original intention was to commence this work by a small tract, explaining, on a plan analogous to this, the most essential rudiments of that science. This idea she has since abandoned; but the manuscript was ready, and might, perhaps, have been printed at some future period, had not an elementary work of a similar description, under the tide of “Scientific Dialogues,” been pointed out to her, which, on a rapid perusal, she thought very ingenious, and well calculated to answer its intended object.

CONTENTS

Page numbers have been retained to give an idea of the relative length of each Conversation.

CONVERSATION I.
ON THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY. Page 1
CONVERSATION II.
ON LIGHT AND HEAT. 26
CONVERSATION III.
CONTINUATION OF THE SUBJECT. 70
CONVERSATION IV.
ON COMBINED CALORIC, COMPREHENDING SPECIFIC HEAT AND LATENT HEAT. 122
CONVERSATION V.
ON THE CHEMICAL AGENCIES OF ELECTRICITY. 160
CONVERSATION VI.
ON OXYGEN AND NITROGEN. 181
CONVERSATION VII.
ON HYDROGEN. 214
CONVERSATION VIII.
ON SULPHUR AND PHOSPHORUS. 256
CONVERSATION IX.
ON CARBON. 282
CONVERSATION X.
ON METALS. 314
CONVERSATION XIII.
ON THE ATTRACTION OF COMPOSITION. 1
CONVERSATION XIV.
ON ALKALIES. 19
CONVERSATION XV.
ON EARTHS. 44
CONVERSATION XVI.
ON ACIDS. 69
CONVERSATION XVII.

OF THE SULPHURIC AND PHOSPHORIC ACIDS: OR, THE COMBINATIONS OF OXYGEN WITH SULPHUR AND WITH PHOSPHORUS; AND OF THE SULPHATS AND PHOSPHATS.

 80
CONVERSATION XVIII.

OF THE NITRIC AND CARBONIC ACIDS: OR THE COMBINATION OF OXYGEN WITH NITROGEN AND WITH CARBON; AND OF THE NITRATS AND CARBONATS.

 100
CONVERSATION XIX.
ON THE BORACIC, FLUORIC, MURIATIC, AND OXYGENATED MURIATIC ACIDS; AND ON MURIATS. 131
CONVERSATION XX.
ON THE NATURE AND COMPOSITION OF VEGETABLES. 162
CONVERSATION XXI.
ON THE DECOMPOSITION OF VEGETABLES. 202
CONVERSATION XXII.
HISTORY OF VEGETATION. 243
CONVERSATION XXIII.
ON THE COMPOSITION OF ANIMALS. 276
CONVERSATION XXIV.
ON THE ANIMAL ECONOMY. 297
CONVERSATION XXV.
ON ANIMALISATION, NUTRITION, AND RESPIRATION. 314
CONVERSATION XXVI.
ON ANIMAL HEAT; AND OF VARIOUS ANIMAL PRODUCTS. 336
I.xvi
ERRATA.
Vol. I. page 56. last line but one, for “caloric,” read “calorific.”
179. Note, for “Plate XII.” r. “Plate XIII.”
363

INDEX.

Index links lead only to the top of the page, not to the exact item referenced. Some browsers may not display page numbers correctly. If a link seems to lead to the wrong page, the link is right and the visible page number is wrong.

 A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJ   K 
 L   M   N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   V   U   W   Y   Z 

U, V are alphabetized as shown. J is not separated from  I.

A

Absorbent vessels, ii. 304

Absorption of caloric, i. 59. 66

Acetic acid, ii. 75. 197

Acetous fermentation, ii. 232

—— acid, ii. 193. 232

Acidulous gaseous mineral waters, ii. 129

—— salts, ii. 200

Acids, i. 262. ii. 69

Aeriform, i. 36

Affinity, i. 19. ii. 1

Agate, ii. 51

Agriculture, ii. 252

Air, i. 182. ii. 262

Albumen, ii. 277. 288

Alburnum, ii. 267

Alchemists, i. 4

Alcohol, or spirit of wine, ii. 215. 222

Alembic, i. 258

Alkalies, ii. 19

Alkaline earths, ii. 50. 58

Alloys, i. 344

Alum, or sulphat of alumine, ii. 55. 95

Alumine, ii. 54

Alumium, i. 13

Amalgam, i. 347

Ambergris, ii. 358

Amethyst, ii. 58

Amianthus, ii. 66

Ammonia, or volatile alkali, i. 363. ii. 20. 35

Ammoniacal gas, ii. 36

Ammonium, i. 13

Analysis, i. 287

—— of vegetables, ii. 165

Animals, ii. 276

Animal acids, ii. 75. 290

—— colours, ii. 292

—— heat, ii. 337

—— oil, ii. 178. 283

Animalization, ii. 276. 297. 315

Antidotes, ii. 41. 87

Antimony, i. 14

Aqua fortis, ii. 105

—— regia, i. 340. ii. 144

Arrack, ii. 220

Argand’s Lamp, i. 208

Arsenic, i. 14. 340. 348

Arteries, ii. 304. 323

Arterial blood, ii. 305. 326. 338

Asphaltum, ii. 240

Assafœtida, ii. 188

Assimilation, ii. 298

Astringent principle, ii. 198

Atmosphere, i. 90. 181. ii. 262

Atmospherical air, i. 182

Attraction of aggregation, or cohesion, i. 16. ii. 2

364

—— of composition, i. 16. ii. 1

Azot, or nitrogen, i. 182, ii. 100

Azotic gas, i. 182

B   Index top

Balsams, ii. 165. 188

Balloons, i. 245

Bark, ii. 193. 265

Barytes, ii. 44. 58. 61

Bases of acids, i. 263. ii. 69

—— gases, i. 183

—— salts, ii. 5

Beer, ii. 212. 220

Benzoic acid, ii. 74. 197

Bile, ii. 308

Birds, ii. 347

Bismuth, i. 14

Bitumens, ii. 239

Black lead, or plumbago, i. 304

Bleaching, i. 32. ii. 89. 140.

Blow-pipe, i. 324. ii. 226

Blood, ii. 306. 317

Blood-vessels, ii. 298

Boiling water, i. 93

Bombic acid, ii. 75. 290

Bones, ii. 298, 299

Boracic acid, i. 365. ii. 131

Boracium, i. 13. ii. 132

Borat of soda, ii. 133

Brandy, ii. 218

Brass, i. 344

Bread, ii. 233

Bricks, ii. 56

Brittle-metals, i. 14

Bronze, i. 341

Butter, ii. 351

Butter-milk, ii. 352

C   Index top

Calcareous earths, ii. 65

—— stones, ii. 123

Calcium, i. 13

Caloric, i. 12. 33

——, absorption of, i. 66

——, conductors of, i. 70

——, combined, i. 122

——, expansive power of i. 35

——, equilibrium of, i. 50

——, reflexion of, i. 54. 67

——, radiation of, i. 52. 61

——, solvent power of, i. 96. 102

——, capacity for, i. 124

Calorimeter, i. 156

Calx, i. 183

Camphor, ii. 165. 185

Camphoric acid, ii. 74. 197

Caoutchouc, ii. 165. 189

Carbonats, ii. 25. 129

Carbonat of ammonia, ii. 41

—— lead, i. 320

—— lime, ii. 59. 130

—— magnesia, ii. 67

—— potash, ii. 25

Carbonated hydrogen gas, i. 302

Carbon, i. 282. ii. 329

Carbonic acid, i. 290. 359. ii. 327

Carburet of iron, i. 304. 342

Carmine, ii. 295

Cartilage, ii. 303

Castor, ii. 359

Cellular membrane, ii. 311

Caustics, i. 349

Chalk, ii. 62. 123

Charcoal, i. 282

Cheese, ii. 356

Chemical attraction, i. 15. ii. 9

Chemistry, i. 3

Chest, ii. 318

China, ii. 54

Chlorine, i. 214

Chrome, i. 14. 340

Chyle, ii. 305. 317

Chyme, ii. 316

365

Citric acid, ii. 74. 197

Circulation of the blood, ii. 322

Civet, ii. 359

Clay, i. 48. ii. 55

Coke, ii. 241

Coal, ii. 240. 252

Cobalt, i. 14

Cochineal, ii. 295

Cold, i. 50. 58

—— from evaporation, i. 102. 113. 150

Colours of metallic oxyds, i. 319

Columbium, i. 14. 340. 348

Combined caloric, i. 122

Combustion, i. 190

——, volatile products of, i. 207

——, fixed products of, i. 207

——, of alcohol, ii. 225

——, of ammoniacal gas, ii. 42

——, of boracium, ii. 133

——, by oxymuriatic acid or chlorine, ii. 142

——, of carbon, i. 289

——, of coals, i. 207. 297

——, of charcoal by nitric acid, ii. 102

——, of candles, i. 236. 309. ii. 179

——, of diamonds, i. 292

——, of ether, ii. 230

——, of hydrogen, i. 229.

——, of iron, i. 200. 322

——, of metals, i. 321

——, of oils, i. 208. ii. 178. 309

——, of oil of turpentine by nitrous acid, ii. 6

——, of phosphorus, i. 272

——, of sulphur, i. 261

—— of potassium, i. 358. ii. 132. 138, 139

Compound bodies, i. 9. ii. 14

—— or neutral salts i. 333. ii. 4

Conductors of heat, i. 71

——, solids, i. 73

——, fluids, i. 78

——, Count Rumford’s theory, i. 79

Constituent parts, i. 9

Copper, i. 14. 331

Copal, ii. 187. 224

Cortical layers, ii. 265. 267

Cotyledons, or lobes, ii. 256

Cream, ii. 351

Cream of tartar, or tartrit of potash, ii. 200. 222

Cryophorus, i. 154

Crystallisation, i. 338. ii. 47

Cucurbit, i. 258

Culinary heat, i. 88

Curd, ii. 351. 354

Cuticle, or epidermis, ii. 310

D   Index top

Decomposition, i. 8. 20

—— of atmospherical air, i. 181. 209

—— of water by the Voltaic battery, i. 220

—— of salts by the Voltaic battery, ii. 14

—— of water by metals, i. 225. 334

—— —— by carbon, i. 301

—— of vegetables, ii. 202

—— of potash, i. 356

—— of soda, i. 56

—— of ammonia, i. 363. ii. 37

366

—— of the boracic acid, ii. 132

—— of the fluoric acid, ii. 136

—— of the muriatic acid, ii. 139

Deflagration, ii. 118

Definite proportions, ii. 13

Deliquescence, ii. 95

Detonation, i. 219. ii. 116

Dew, i. 105

Diamond, i. 285

Diaphragm, ii. 320

Digestion, ii. 316

Dissolution of metals, i. 165. 316. 333

Distillation, i. 259. ii. 218

—— of red wine, ii. 218

Divellent forces, ii. 12

Division, i. 7

Drying oils, ii. 181

Dying, ii. 191

E   Index top

Earths, ii. 44

Earthen-ware, ii. 53. 57

Effervescence, i. 298

Efflorescence, ii. 94

Elastic fluids, i. 37

Electricity, i. 12. 25. 160. 220. ii. 139

Electric machine, i. 169

Elective attractions, ii. 9

Elementary bodies, i. 8. 12

Elixirs, tinctures, or quintessences, ii. 225

Enamel, ii. 57

Epidermis of vegetables, ii. 269

—— of animals, ii. 310

Epsom salts, ii. 63. 95

Equilibrium of caloric, i. 50

Essences, i. 307. ii. 183. 224

Essential, or volatile oils, i. 307. ii. 183

Ether, i. 111. ii. 229

Evaporation, i. 103

Evergreens, ii. 274

Eudiometer, i. 276

Expansion of caloric, i. 36

Extractive colouring matter, ii. 165. 190

F   Index top

Falling stones, i. 319

Fat, i. 306. ii. 311

Feathers, ii. 300

Fecula, ii. 176

Fermentation, ii. 205

Fibrine, ii. 277. 289

Fire, i. 7. 27

Fish, ii. 346

Fixed air, or carbonic acid, i. 290. ii. 125

—— alkalies, ii. 20

—— oils, i. 307. ii. 165. 177

—— products of combustion, i. 207

Flame, i. 237

Flint, ii. 30. 51

Flower or blossom, ii. 271

Fluoric acid, ii. 54. 134

Fluorium, or Fluorine, i. 12. ii. 136

Formic acid, ii. 290

Fossil wood, ii. 242

Frankincense, ii. 187

Free or radiant caloric, or heat of temperature, i. 33

Freezing mixtures, i. 142

—— by evaporation, i. 104. 150, &c.

Frost, i. 94

Fruit, ii. 271

Fuller’s earth, ii. 55

Furnace, i. 304

367

G   Index top

Galls, ii. 199

Gallat of iron, ii. 98

Gallic acid, ii. 74. 197, 198

Galvanism, i. 163

Gas, i. 182

Gas-lights, i. 240

Gaseous oxyd of carbon, i. 296

—— nitrogen, ii. 111

Gastric juice, ii. 316

Gelatine, or jelly, ii. 277. 280

Germination, ii. 256

Gin, ii. 221

Glands, ii. 298. 307

Glass, ii. 30

Glauber’s salts, or sulphat of soda, ii. 92

Glazing, ii. 57

Glucium, i. 13

Glue, ii. 281. 287

Gluten, ii. 165. 177

Gold, i. 14. 323

Gum, ii. 170

—— arabic, ii. 170

—— elastic, or caoutchouc, ii. 189

—— resins, ii. 165. 188

Gunpowder, ii. 116

Gypsum, or plaister of Paris, or sulphat of lime, ii. 95

H   Index top

Hair, ii. 300

Harrogate water, i. 268. 341

Hartshorn, ii. 35. 39. 281. 285

Heart, ii. 323

—— wood, ii. 268

Heat, i. 26. 33

—— of capacity, i. 127. 135

—— of temperature, i. 33

Honey, ii. 175

Horns, ii. 282. 300

Hydro-carbonat, i. 241. 303

Hydrogen, i. 214

—— gas, i. 215

IJ   Index top

Jasper, ii. 51

Ice, i. 138

Jelly, ii. 281

Jet, ii. 240

Ignes fatui, i. 277

Ignition, i. 119

Imponderable agents, i. 12

Inflammable air, i. 215

Ink, ii. 98. 199

Insects, ii. 349

Integrant pans, i. 9

Iridium, i. 14

Iron, i. 14. 319. 328

Isinglass, ii. 194. 285

Ivory black, ii. 295

Iodine, i. 214. ii. 157

K   Index top

Kali, ii. 34

Koumiss, ii. 356

L

Lac, ii. 358

Lactic acid, ii. 75. 290. 356

Lakes, colours, ii. 190

Latent heat, i. 133

Lavender water, ii. 184. 224

Lead, i. 14. 318. 330

Leather, ii. 193. 287

Leaves, ii. 260

Life, ii. 159. 168

Ligaments, ii. 303

Light, i. 12. 26. ii. 261

Lightning, i. 248

Lime, ii. 59

—— water, ii. 61

368

Limestone, ii. 60

Linseed oil, ii. 178

Liqueurs, ii. 224

Liver, ii. 308

Lobes, ii. 256. 332

Lunar caustic, or nitrat of silver, i. 350. ii. 119

Lungs, ii. 319. 330

Lymph, ii. 304

Lymphatic vessels, ii. 304

M   Index top

Magnesia, ii. 44. 66

Magnium, i. 13

Malic acid, ii. 74. 197

Malt, ii. 211

Malleable metals, i. 14

Manganese, i. 14. 317

Manna, ii. 176

Manure, ii. 247

Marble, ii. 123

Marine acid, or muriatic acid, ii. 136

Mastic, ii. 187. 224

Materials of animals, ii. 277

—— of vegetables, ii. 165

Mercury, i. 14. 346

——, new mode of freezing, i. 155. 347

Metallic acids, i. 340

—— oxyds, i. 316

Metals, i. 12. 314

Meteoric stones, i. 342

Mica, ii. 66

Milk, ii. 299. 306. 350

Minerals, i. 315. ii. 44. 158

Mineral waters, i. 296. ii. 129

—— acids, ii. 73

Miner’s lamp, i. 249

Mixture, i. 99

Molybdena, i. 14. 340

Mordant, ii. 165. 192

Mortar, ii. 53. 65

Mucilage, ii. 170

Mucous acid, ii. 74. 171. 197

—— membrane, ii. 311

Muriatic acid, or marine acid, ii. 136

Muriats, ii. 151

Muriat of ammonia, ii. 35. 152

—— lime, i. 100

—— soda, or common salt, ii. 136. 151

—— potash, ii. 138

Muriatium, i. 13

Muscles of animals, ii. 298. 303

Musk, ii. 359

Myrrh, ii. 188

N.   Index top

Naphtha, i. 357. ii. 240

Negative electricity, i. 25. 161. 185

Nerves, ii. 279. 298. 308

Neutral, or compound salts, i. 333. ii. 4. 22. 69

Nickel, i. 13. 343

Nitre, or nitrat of potash, or saltpetre, ii. 32. 104. 116

Nitric acid, ii. 100

Nitrogen, or azot, i. 181. ii. 100

—— gas, i. 182. 211

Nitro-muriatic acid, or aqua regia, ii. 144

Nitrous acid gas, ii. 101. 106

—— air, or nitrit oxyd gas, ii. 107

Nitrats, ii. 116

Nitrat of copper, ii. 5

—— ammonia, ii. 113. 118

—— potash, or nitre, or saltpetre, ii. 32. 104. 116

—— silver, or lunar caustic, ii. 19

Nomenclature of acids, i. 264. ii. 69

—— compound salts, ii. 4. 22

369

—— other binary compounds, i. 278

Nut-galls, ii. 98. 199

Nut-oil, ii. 178

Nutrition, ii. 297

O   Index top

Ochres, i. 320

Oils, i. 285. ii. 306

Oil of amber, ii. 241

—— vitriol, or sulphuric acid, ii. 80

Olive oil, ii. 178

Ores, i. 315

Organized bodies, ii. 159

Organs of animals, ii. 290. 310

—— vegetables, ii. 159. 265. 271

Osmium, i. 14. 348

Oxalic acid, ii. 74. 197

Oxyds, i. 198

Oxyd of manganese, i. 117. 317

—— iron, i. 204. 319

—— lead, i. 319

—— sulphur, ii. 91

Oxydation, or oxygenation, i. 196

Oxygen, i. 11. 181. 201. 211

—— gas, or vital air, i. 182. 201

Oxy-muriatic acid, ii. 140

Oxy-muriats, ii. 153

Oxy-muriat of potash, ii. 155

P   Index top

Palladium, i. 13. 348

Papin’s digester, i. 120. ii. 284

Parenchyma, ii. 256. 266

Particles, i. 16

Pearlash, ii. 24

Peat, ii. 242

Peculiar juice of plants, ii. 268

Perfect metals, i. 14. 324

Perfumes, i. 308. ii. 183

Perspiration, ii. 333. 329

Petrification, ii. 237

Pewter, i. 344

Pharmacy, i. 14

Phosphat of lime, ii. 99. 299

Phosphorated hydrogen gas, i. 277

Phosphorescence, i. 29

Phosphoric acid, i. 273. ii. 99

Phosphorous acid, i. 274. ii. 99

Phosphorus, i. 270

Phosphoret of lime, i. 278. 341

—— sulphur, i. 279. 341

Pitch, ii. 187

Plaster, ii. 65

Platina, i. 14. 323

Plating, i. 345

Plumbago, or black lead, i. 304

Plumula, ii. 257

Porcelain, ii. 56

Positive electricity, i. 25. 161. 185

Potassium, i. 13. 357. ii. 15

Pottery, ii. 56

Potash, i. 356. ii. 22

Precipitate, i. 22

Pressure of the atmosphere, i. 112. 116

Printer’s ink, ii. 144

Prussiat of iron, or prussian blue, ii. 291

—— potash, ii. 291

Prussic acid, ii. 75. 290

Putrid fermentation, ii. 235. 360

Pyrites, i. 341. ii. 97

Pyrometer, i. 38. 42

Q   Index top

Quick lime, ii. 59

Quiescent forces, ii. 12

370

R   Index top

Radiation of caloric, i. 52

——, Prevost’s theory, i. 52

——, Pictet’s explanations, i. 54

——, Leslie’s illustrations, i. 61

Radicals, ii. 5. 69

Radicle; or root, ii. 257

Rain, i. 104

Rancidity, ii. 182

Rectification, ii. 223

Reflexion of caloric, i. 54. 64

Reptiles, ii. 349

Resins, ii. 165, 186. 266

Respiration, ii. 317. 326

Reviving of metals, i. 327

Rhodium, i. 14. 348

Roasting metals, i. 316

Rock crystal, ii. 61

Ruby, ii. 53

Rum, ii. 219

Rust, i. 318. 328

S   Index top

Saccharine fermentation, ii. 208

Sal ammoniac, or muriat of ammonia, ii. 35

—— polychrest, or sulphat of potash, ii. 91

—— volatile, or carbonat of ammonia, ii. 41

Salifiable bases, ii. 5

Salifying principles, ii. 5

Saltpetre, or nitre, or nitrat of potash, ii. 32. 104. 116

Salt, ii. 91

Sand, ii. 30. 51

Sandstone, ii. 51

Sap of plants, ii. 165. 260. 262. 270. 272

Sapphire, ii. 58

Saturation, i. 101.

Sapphire, ii. 58

Saturation, i. 101

Seas, temperature of, i. 33.

Sebacic acid, ii. 75. 182. 290. 353

Secretions, ii. 307

Seeds of plants, ii. 210. 271

Seltzer water, i. 289. ii. 63. 129

Senses, ii. 310

Silex, or silica, ii. 30. 51

Silicium, i. 13.

Silk, ii. 359

Silver, i. 321

Simple bodies, i. 10. 12

Size, ii. 281

Skin, ii. 279. 310. 193

Slakeing of lime, i. 147. ii. 56

Slate, ii. 51. 66

Smelting metals, i. 316

Smoke i. 208

Soap, ii. 24

Soda, i. 363. ii. 33

—— water, i. 299

Sodium, i. 13. 363

Soils, i. 42. ii. 245

Soldering, i. 345

Solubility, ii. 92

Solution, i. 96

—— by the air, i. 102

—— of potash, ii. 28

Specific heat, i. 126

Spermaceti, ii. 358

Spirits, ii. 313

Steam, i. 140. 182

Steel, i. 305

Stomach, ii. 315

Stones, ii. 46

Stucco, ii. 65

Strontites, ii. 44. 68

Strontium, i. 13

Suberic acid, ii. 74. 197

Sublimation, i. 257

Succin, or yellow amber, ii. 241

Succinic acid, ii. 74. 197. 241

Sugar, ii. 165. 174. 208

—— of milk, ii. 355

371

Sulphats, ii. 5. 91

Super oxygenated sulphuric acid, ii. 70.

Sulphat of alumine, or alum, ii. 54. 95

—— barytes, ii. 58

—— iron, ii. 96

—— lime, or gypsum, or plaster of Paris, ii. 95

—— magnesia, or Epsom salt, ii. 67. 95

—— potash, or sal polychrest, ii. 91

—— soda, or Glauber’s salts, ii. 92

Sulphur, i. 256

—— flowers of, i. 257

Sulphurated hydrogen gas, i. 165. 268

Sulphurets, i. 341

Sulphurous acid, i. 254. ii. 88

Sulphuric acid, i. 74. ii. 265

Sympathetic ink, i. 354

Synthesis, i. 287

T   Index top

Tan, ii. 192

Tannin, ii. 165. 192

Tar, ii. 187

Tartarous acid, ii. 74. 197

Tartrit of potash, ii. 222

Teeth, ii. 300

Tellurium, i. 14

Temperature, i. 33

Thaw, i. 158

Thermometers, i. 40

——, Fahrenheit’s, i. 42

——, Reaumur’s, i. 42

——, Centigrade, i. 43

——, air, i. 44

——, differential, i. 46

Thunder, i. 248

Tin, i. 14. 344

Titanium, i. 14. 348

Turf, ii. 242

Turpentine, ii. 187

Transpiration of plants, ii. 260

Tungsten, i. 14. 340

V   Index top

Vapour, i. 36. 49. 93. 182

Vaporisation, i. 103

Varnishes, ii. 187

Vegetables, ii. 158

Vegetable acid, i. 310. ii. 74. 197

—— colours, ii. 190

—— heat, ii. 272

—— oils, ii. 177

Veins, ii. 304. 323.

Venous blood, ii. 305. 326. 338

Ventricles, ii. 324

Verdigris, i. 352

Vessels, ii. 304

Vinegar, ii. 232

Vinous fermentation, ii. 212

Vital air, or oxygen gas, i. 182

Vitriol, or sulphat of iron, ii. 81

Volatile oils, i. 307. ii. 165. 183. 224. 269

—— products of combustion, i. 207

—— alkali, i. 363. ii. 20. 35

Voltaic battery, i. 164. 220. 356. ii. 15

U   Index top

Uranium, i. 14

W   Index top

Water, i. 215. ii. 262

372

——, decomposition of, by electricity, i. 200. 225

——, condensation of, i. 32

—— of the sea, i. 86

——, boiling, i. 93

——, solution by, i. 96

—— of crystallisation, i. 339

Wax, i. 309. ii. 180. 358

Whey, ii. 351

Wine, ii. 212

Wood, ii. 267

Woody fibre, ii. 156. 196. 267

Wool, ii. 300

Y   Index top

Yeast, ii. 234.

Yttria, ii. 44.

Yttrium, i. 13.

Z   Index top

Zinc, ii. 14. 344

Zirconia, ii. 44

Zirconium, i. 14.

Zoonic acid, ii. 75. 220

Transcriber’s Notes

Terminology

Many scientific terms used in this book are different from today’s standard terminology. The following is not meant as a comprehensive list.

oxy-muriatic acid

chlorine
proposed as an element in 1815: see Conversation XIX

“columbium or tantalium”

niobium and tantalum
the two elements always occur together, and were not recognized as separate until much later in the 19th century

phosphat of lime

calcium diphosphate or calcium
the element calcium was isolated in 1808, but is named only once in this 1817 edition

glucium

beryllium
Humphry Davy’s name for the element

muriatic acid

hydrochloric acid
but still called “muriatic acid” for some commercial uses

muriat of lime

calcium chloride

oxymuriate of potash

potassium chlorate

muriat of soda

sodium chloride (table salt)

carbonic acid

carbon dioxide

Note also:

simple body, fundamental principle

element

fecula

starch (usually spelled “fæcula”)

spirit of wine

alcohol

philosopher

scientist

arts

industry, manufacture, crafts etc. (seldom “fine arts”)

Some essential concepts relating to living things—photosynthesis, microorganisms, the cell, proteins—are either unknown or not mentioned. The atom theory had been proposed, but not by Humphry Davy; it is not mentioned in this book.

The word “explode” is used at least once in its orginal, figurative sense (“a word that should be exploded in chemistry”) but far more often in its later, concrete one. The word “explosion” is always used concretely (“an explosion, or a detonation as chemists commonly call it”).

Calculated Values:

“the point of zero, or the absolute privation of heat, must consequently be 1260 degrees below 32 degrees”

-1228° F. The calculation is based on wrong premises; the correct figure is about -460° F or -273° C.

“Mercury congeals only at seventy-two degrees below the freezing point.”

-40° F, which is also -40° C. This figure is correct, though approximate.

“The proportion stated by Sir H. Davy, in his Chemical Researches, is as 1 to 2.389.”

[ammonia] “consisted of about one part of hydrogen to four parts of nitrogen.... and from the latest and most accurate experiments, the proportions appear to be, one volume of nitrogen gas to three of hydrogen gas”

These and similar calculations involving relative weight and volume make more sense when one knows the elements’ atomic weights. For nitric acid, HNO3, the figures are 1:14:48, giving a proportion closer to 1:3.5. For ammonia, NH3 (not 4), the figures are 14:3.

The first proportion was printed “2,389”. No other decimal numbers occur in the text, but a comma appears once as a thousands separator.

“The oxalic acid, distilled from sorrel, is the highest term of vegetable acidification; for, if more oxygen be added to it, it loses its vegetable nature, and is resolved into carbonic acid and water;”

Oxalic acid = H2C2O4; carbonic acid (carbon dioxide) = CO2. H2C2O4 + O becomes H2O + CO2 + CO2.

Chapter Numbering

The 3rd and 4th editions used the same Conversation (chapter) numbering. The apparent disappearance of XI and XII is the result of changes between the 4th and 5th (present text) editions:

Volume I: On Simple Bodies
4th
edn.		 5th
edn.
I.
II.
III.		 I.
II.
III.

No change
IV. IV.

4th: On Specific Heat, Latent Heat, and Chemical Heat.

5th: On Combined Caloric, Comprehending Specific Heat and Latent Heat.
V.

On The Chemical Agencies Of Electricity.

Chapter added in 5th edition
V. VI.

On Oxygen And Nitrogen.
VI. VII.

On Hydrogen.

5th: new sections on Gas lights and Miner’s Lamp
VII. VIII.

On Sulphur And Phosphorus.

5th: new section on Decomposition of Sulphur
VIII. IX.

4th: On Carbone.

5th: On Carbon.
IX. X.

On Metals.
X.

On Alkalies.
XI.

On Earths.

Conversations X, XI were moved to Volume II as XIV, XV.
Volume II: On Compound Bodies
4th
edn.		 5th
edn.
XII. XIII.

On The Attraction Of Composition.
XIV.

On Alkalies.
XV.

On Earths.

Conversations XIV, XV were previously X, XI in Volume I.
XIII. XVI.

4th: On Compound Bodies.

5th: On Acids.

Most of XIII, On Compound Bodies, became XVI, On Acids. Some introductory material was moved to XIV, On Alkalies.
XIV. XVII.

4th: On The Combinations of Oxygen with Sulphur and with Phosphorus; and of the Sulphats And Phosphats.

5th: Of the Sulphuric and Phosphoric Acids: or, The Combinations of ....
XV. XVIII.

4th: On The Combination of Oxygen With Nitrogen and with Carbone; and of The Nitrats And Carbonats.

5th: Of The Nitric And Carbonic Acids: Or The Combination ...
XVI. XIX.

4th: On Muriatic And Oxygenated Muriatic Acids; and on Muriats.

5th: On The Boracic, Fluoric, Muriatic, and Oxygenated Muriatic Acids; and on Muriats.
XVII. XX.

On The Nature And Composition Of Vegetables.
Remainder of book: number in 4th edn. + 3 = number in 5th edn.
Plates

Most Plates include the following text, engraved in smaller print:

Drawn by the Author / Engraved by Lowry / Published by Longman & Co. Octr. 2nd. 1809.

This date corresponds to the 3rd edition. Plates V, X and XIII—each containing material new to the 5th edition—read only “Lowry sculp.”

Inconsistencies and variant spellings

None of these lists are meant to be inclusive. They are typical of variations that were not marked as errors.

Standard spellings throughout the book:

bason, judgment, embrio, volcanos (plural), potatoe (singular)

Inconsistencies:

capitalization of “Fig.” or “fig.”

hyphenization of words such as “oxy-muriatic”

“glauber salt” and “Glauber’s salt” both occur

Variant forms:

opake, opaque

aëriform, aeriform

gasses, gases

phosphoret, phosphuret (but always carburet)

Libya, Lybia

dy(e)ing (from “dye”)

nap(h)tha

pla(i)ster

slak(e)ing

earthen-ware, earthen ware

“sulphurous”, “naphtha” are used in the Contents and the Index; “sulphureous”, “naptha” in the body text

forms in “-xion” (such as “connexion”) appear only in the Contents and the Index

Volume I has more archaic forms than Volume II:

“shew”, “inclose” are sometimes used instead of “show”, “enclose”

“carbone” with final “e” appears in one Plate caption. (In the same plate’s header, the “e” appears to have been removed by the engraver.)

“develope(ment)” is more common in Volume I, “develop(ment)” in Volume II

“-ize” and “-yze” forms (for later “-ise” and “-yse”) are common in Volume I, rare in Volume II except in the Index

The “Dr. Marcet” mentioned in a few footnotes and figure captions is the author’s husband. Humphry Davy (“Sir H. Davy”) was knighted in 1812, between the 3rd and 4th editions of the book.

Reminder

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.