III. 



NON-METALS AND THEIR COMBINATIONS. 



THE total number of the non-metals is fourteen ; two of them, 

 selenium and tellurium, are of so little importance that they 

 need not be considered in this book. 



Symbols, atomic weights, and derivation of names. 



Boron, B = 11. From borax, the substance from which boron was first 



obtained. 

 Bromine, Br = 79.8. From the Greek ftpa/uof (bromos), stench, in allusion to 



the intolerable odor. 



Carbon, C = 12. From the Latin carbo, coal, which is chiefly carbon. 

 Chlorine, Cl = 35.4 From the Greek %7.up6e (chloros), green, in allusion to its 



green color. 

 Fluorine, Fl = 19. From fluorspar, the mineral fluoride of calcium, used as 



flux (Fluo, to flow). 

 Hydrogen, H= 1. From the Greek vdup (hudor), water, and yswau (genao), 



to generate. 

 Iodine, I = 126.6. From the Greek iov (ion), violet, referring to the color of 



its vapors. 

 Nitrogen, N= 14. From the Greek virpov (nitron), nitre, and yewau (genao), 



to generate. 

 Oxygen, O = 16. From the Greek ofdf (oxus), acid, and yewaw (genao), to 



generate. 

 Phosphorus, P = 31. From the Greek <j>ijg (phos), light, and fiepeiv (pherein), 



to bear. 

 Silicium, Si 28. From the Latin silex, flint, or silica, the oxide of 



silicium. 



Sulphur, S = 32. From sal, salt, and nvp (pur), fire, referring to the com- 

 bustible properties of sulphur. 



