154 PRACTICAL LESSONS IN SCIENCE. 



LITHIUM, the lightest metal known, occurs in small quantities 

 in some kinds of mica and other minerals ; is found in the waters 

 of many springs; in tobacco, milk, blood, sea water, etc. It is 

 somewhat similar to potassium and sodium in its properties. It 

 gives a bright carmine color to flame. Lithia water is much used 

 in medicine. Potassium, sodium and lithium are alike in the 

 powerful alkalinity of their oxides and in the solubility of their 

 salts, and in that they give bright colors to flames, sodium 

 yellow, potassium violet or lilac, and lithium red. 



