302 GLOSSARY OF 



Cohesion, a force inherent in all the particles of bodies, by which 

 they are prevented from falling to pieces. 



Concentration, the act of increasing the specific gravity of bodies. 



Decomposition, separation of the constituent principles of compound 

 bodies. 



Effervescence, an intense motion which takes place in certain bodies 

 caused by the escape of a gaseous substance. 



Efflorescence, the pulverulent form of saline bodies produced by expo- 

 sure to the air, in consequence of losing their water of crystallization. 



Elements, are, properly, the simple constituent parts of bodies, in- 

 capable of decomposition, or further division. 



Essences, the essential oils obtained by distillation from odoriferous 

 vegetable substances. 



Evaporation, dissipation of fluids by heat ; evaporating fluids into 

 vapor by heat. 



Fermentation, a peculiar spontaneous motion, which occurs in vege- 

 table substances, if exposed to proper temperature, under certain 

 circumstances. It is usually divided into the acetous, vinous, sac- 

 charine, and putrefactive stages. 



Fluidity, a term applied to all liquid substances. Solids are con- 

 verted into fluids by combining with a certain portion of caloric. 



Gallic acid, the acid found in gall-nuts. 



Gas. All solid substances, when converted into permanently elastic 

 fluids by caloric, are called gases. 



Gelatin, a chemical term for animal gelly. 



Gluten, a vegetable substance allied to gelatin. 



Gravity, that property by which bodies fall to the earth. 



Gravity, (specific,) is the weight of any solid or fluid body, compared 

 with the same measure of distilled water. 



Hydrates. Those substances which have formed so intimate an union 

 with water as to solidify the water, and render it one of its compo- 

 nent parts, are called hydrates. 



Hydrate of lime, lime slaked in w'ater. 



Hydrogen, the base of water ; inflammable air. 



Hydrometer , see Areometer. 



Incineration, the converting of vegetables to ashes, by burning. 



Laboratory, a room fitted up with apparatus for the performance of 

 chemical operations. 



Lime, quicklime ; calcareous earth ; oxide of calcium. 



Lute, a composition for closing the junctures of chemical vessels, &c. 



Maceration, softening a solid body in a fluid, without impregnating 

 the fluid with it. 



Malic acid, acid of apples. 



Malleability, that property of metals which gives them the quality 

 of being extended and flattened by hammering. 



Menstruum, the fluid in which a solid body is dissolved. 



Mineral, any natural substance of a metallic, earthy, or saline nature. 



Mordants, substances which have a chemical aflinity for particular 

 colors, as alum. 



Mucilage, a vegetable principle allied to gum. 



Muriates, salts formed by the combination of any base with muriatic 

 acid. 



