CHEMISTRY. 25 



CHEMISTKY. 



Chemistry. — The science which investigates the intimate nature 

 of bodies, their composition and properties, together with 

 the changes they undergo. 



Acetom'eter. — An apparatus for determining the strength of 

 vinegar and other forms of acetic acids. 



Acidom'eter. — A hydrometer for determining the density of 

 acids. 



Acidula'tion. — The art or process of acidulating : preservation 

 of food by the use of vinegar. 



Alcohol'meter (Gr. alcohol, and mefron, measure). — An instru- 

 ment for ascertaining the quantity of alcohol in wines and 

 other spirituous liquors. 



Al'kali. — A term now generally used to designate soda, potash, 

 and ammonia, which are also termed vegetable, mineral, 

 and volatile alkali. 



Alkalim'etry (Gr. alkali, and mefron, measure). — The art of 

 ascertaining the strength of the alkalies. 



Al'kaloids. — Substances analogous to alkaline bases of vegetable 

 origin, and generally possessed of great medicinal activity, 

 such as aconite, cinchona, etc. 



Analysis. — The determination of the parts or elements of 

 compound bodies ; decomposition. 



Areom'eter (Gr. araios, rare, thin, and metron, measure). — An 

 instrument for measuring the specific gravity of liquids. 



Atom'ic Theory, — The doctrine of definite proportions teaches 

 that all chemical combinations take place between the sup- 

 posed ultimate particles or atoms of bodies, and that these 

 unite, either one atom with one atom, or by sums of atoms 

 which are integral multiples of unity, 



Sase. — The principal element of a compound, usually electro- 

 positive in quality, 



Bi'nary Compound. — A compound of two elements, or of 

 an element and a compound performing the function 

 of an element, or of two compounds performing tlie 

 function of elements. The binary compounds are as 

 follows : 

 Bro'mide. — Bromine with a metallic or combustible base. 

 Car'bide, or Car'buret. — Carbon with a basifiable or 



acidifiable substance. 

 B 3 



