III. 



NON-METALS AND THEIR COMBINATIONS, 



THE total number of the non-metals is fourteen ; two of them, 

 selenium and tellurium, are of so little importance that they will be 

 but briefly considered in this book. 



Symbols, atomic weights, and derivation of names. 



Boron, B = 10.9. From borax, the substance from which boron was first 



obtained. 



Bromine, Br = 79.8. From the Greek f3ptifj.oe (bromos), stench, in allusion to 



the intolerable odor. 



Carbon, C = 12. From the Latin carbo, coal, which is chiefly carbon. 



Chlorine, Cl = 35.4. From the Greek x^upds (chloros), green, in allusion to its 



green color. 



Fluorine, F = 19. From fluorspar, the mineral calcium fluoride, used as flux 



(fluo, to flow.) 



Hydrogen, H = 1. From the Greek iidup (hudor), water, and yewdw (gennao), 



to generate. 



Iodine, I = 126.5. From the Greek lov (ion), violet, referring to the color of 



its vapors. 



Nitrogen, N = 14. From the Greek virpov (nitron), nitre, and yewdu (gen- 

 nao), to generate. 



Oxygen, O = 16. From the Greek o?6f (oxus), acid, and yewdu (gennao), 



to generate. 



Phosphorus,? = 31. From the Greek 0w? (phos) , light, and <j>epiv (pherein), to 



bear. 

 Silicon, Si = 28.3. From the Latin silex, flint, or silica, the oxide of silicon. 



Sulphur, S = 32. From sal, salt, and irvp (pur), fire, referring to the com- 

 bustible properties of sulphur. 



(71) 



