III. 



NON-METALS AND THEIR COMBINATIONS. 



THE total number of the non-metals is about eighteen ; some of 

 them, such as selenium, tellurium, argon, helium, and a few others, 

 are of so little importance that they will be but briefly considered 

 in this book. 



Symbols, atomic weights, and derivation of names. 



Boron, B = 10.9. From borax, the substance from which boron was first 



obtained. 



Bromine, Br = 79.36. From the Greek fip&jios (bromos), stench, in allusion to 

 the intolerable odor. 



Carbon, C = 11.91. From the Latin carbo, coal, which is chiefly carbon. 



Chlorine, Cl = 35.18. From the Greek ^Awpdf (chloros), green, in allusion to its 

 green color. 



Fluorine, F = 18.9. From fluorspar, the mineral calcium fluoride, used as flux 

 (fluo, to flow.) 



Hydrogen, H = 1. From the Greek v6up (hudor), water, and -yewdu (gennao), 

 to generate. 



Iodine, I = 125.9. From the Greek lav (ion), violet, referring to the color of 



its vapors. 



Nitrogen, N = 13.93. From the Greek virpov (nitron), nitre, and -yewdo (gen- 



nao), to generate. 

 Oxygen, O =; 15.88. From the Greek ofvf (oxus), acid, and yevvdu (gennao), . 



to generate. 

 Phosphorus, P = 30.77. From the Greek 0f (phos), light, and tfpetv (pherein), to 



bear. 

 Silicon, Si = 28.2. From the Latin silex, flint, or silica, the oxide of silicon 



Sulphur, S = 31.83. From sal, salt, and nvp (pur), fire, referring to the com- 

 bustible properties of sulphur. 



135 



