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EXPLANATIONS of some of the TERMS used in the fore 
. going sheets. 
ACID, a combination of vital air, with certain elementary 
substances; such as—nitric, sulphuric, muriatic, carbonic, &e. 
Acid comprehends all qualities of such combinations, sour- 
ness and causticity inclusive. 
ALKALI, one of the divisions of salts, comprehending 
that class of chemical elements, which uniting with acids 
form perfect neutrals; in opposition to the salts formed 
of acids with metals or earths ; which are called imperfect. 
Carsong, charcoal. : 
DEPHLOGISTICATED, purified, by being deprived of me- 
phitic, or phlogisticated, qualities. 
Gas, all aerial fluids, except of common air—The ebu 
tion attending the expulsion of elastic fluids, from substances 
fermenting, or effervescing. 
HyprocGene, inflammable air.—With this balloons are 
filled. 
NirroGene Gas, AZOTE, or ATMOSPHERICAL MEPHITIs, 
PHLOGISTICATED AiR; corrupted air, which has served the 
purposes of combustion, or respiration. 
OxyGeEne, vital air—the basis of all acids—discovered by 
Dr. Priestly in 1774. It always exists in combination, and 
cannot be obtained in purity, without decomposition. The 
atmospheric air we breathe, has 72 parts of nitrogene gas, 
and only 28 of oxygene. These modifications are so neces- 
sary, that without them we could not live. If we were to 
to respire vital air, in its state of purity, it would quickly 
consume our life. This virgin air is no more suited to our 
existence, than distilled water. Chaptal, 82, 84. Thus we 
see that both plants and animals require combinations ; and do 
not exist in, or by, any air totally unmixed. 
