WORDS WHICH CONVEY ERRONEOUS IDEAS 221 



The old alchemical nomenclature introduced several 

 words which now are stumblingblocks to the ordinary 

 reader of modern times. For example, silver nitrate got 

 its old name of lunar caustic from the fact that the old 

 alchemical name of silver was luna or the moon, and its 

 compounds were known as lunar salts. The ancients were 

 acquainted with seven metals and also with seven planets, 

 for in their system the sun and moon were classed with the 

 planets. This led to the theory that each metal had 

 special associations with its own planet iron with Mars, 

 copper with Venus, lead with Saturn, and so on. This 

 explains why salts of iron were called martial salts; salts 

 of copper, venereal salts; compounds of lead, saturnine 

 preparations, and so with the others. 



The following list contains a few words which convey 

 erroneous ideas; the number might be greatly enlarged. 



BLACK LEAD. This well-known substance has no lead 

 at all in its composition; it is simply a form of carbon, 

 charcoal and the diamond being other forms. Another 

 name for it is plumbago, but this is just as bad, for this 

 word is derived from the Latin name for lead (plumbum). 

 The proper name is graphite, or writing material. Black 

 lead no doubt got its name from the fact that pencils were 

 originally made of lead or of one of its alloys, and when 

 graphite was substituted for the metal it was quite natural 

 to call it black lead from its color. But nevertheless it is a 

 misnomer. 



BLIND WORM. Although not found in this country, 

 the name of the creature is so often mentioned in English 

 literature that it is worth while to note the fact that it is 

 neither blind nor poisonous, qualities which are generally 

 attributed to it by the ignorant. It is really a small lizard. 



