312 INFLAMMABLES. 



asbestos, or in flat transparent rhomboids, of which the large angles 

 are but little above 90. 



Thrown into water, it acts like red hot iron. 



It liquifies at 66, is more fluid than the common acid, and has a 

 specific gravity of 1.97. 



9. IMPORTANCE AND USES OF SULPHURIC ACID. 



(a.) Largely used in chemistry, being the most common agent in 

 decompositions, where other acids are to be separated from their com- 

 binations. 



(6.) For generating hydrogen, with the aid of zinc or iron, and 

 water, for filling balloons. 



(c) For the manufacture of soda water, to evolve the gas from 

 marble powder. 



(d.) For manufacturing nitric, muriatic, citric and tartaric acids. 



() In dyeing, bleaching, cleaning metals from oxide, and hVpre- 

 paring chlorine for disinfection. 



(jf.) In forming metallic sulphates, as those of copper, zinc, and 

 iron ; in making calomel, and corrosive sublimate, and sulphuric ether ; 

 in dissolving indigo, extracting phosphorus, &c. 



(g.) In medicine, largely diluted 50 or 60 parts of water to 1 of 

 acid.* Used as an antifebrile drink, and as a tonic and stimulant. It is 

 also used externally as a caustic, and in the composition of elixir vi- 

 triol, &c. Externally, as a gargle in putrid sore throats, and apthous 

 mouths, and as a wash in cutaneous diseases. In its concentrated 

 state, it is a violent poison, and the person who swallows much of it, 

 dies in agony ; chalk and carbonate of magnesia, are the best rem- 

 edies. 



10. DIFFUSION IN NATURE. 



Largely in combination, as in the earthy and metallic sulphates, but 

 not much known in a free state 5 occurs in that condition in the cra- 

 ter of a volcano at Mount Idienne, in Java, &c. ; also, observed by 

 Baron Humboldt, in the river Vinagre, in the Andes of Popayan.f 



Found in the cavities of a small volcanic hill, called Zoccolino, near 

 Sienna ; also, in the state of New York.f 



11. TEST. Muriate of barytes ; it acts by giving its earth to 

 this acid, and by thus taking it from every combination, it affords us 

 an infallible test for the sulphuric acid ; the precipitate is a heavy 

 white powder. 



12. POLARITY. Electro-negative ; it is attracted to the positive 

 pole in the galvanic series. 



* Or, as much as will make it agreeable, and it may be qualified with sugar. To 

 prevent its injuring the teeth, it is usual to suck it through a quill, but a glass tube 

 would be better. 



I Boston Jour. Vol. II, p. 460. J By Prot. Eaton Am. Jour. Vol. XV, p. 23. 



