652 EEPORT--1887. 



with tlie properties of each one of a long list of bodies when the remenibrance of 

 these properties does not help him to a knowledge of chemistry. 



The importance and value of chemistr}-, as of any branch of natural science, can 

 only be made clear by the teacher and the learner working together at the elucida- 

 tion of some of the simpler problems of the science ; but this can be done well only 

 when the teacher is possessed of a clear and vivid imagination, and when he 

 thoroughly believes in the subject he is teaching. 



Finally the examiner must be i'orgotten. The examiner is too often himself 

 unacquainted with the subject in which he exo,mines. Much more care should 

 be exercised in choosing those who are to examine, especially those who are to 

 examine the results of the chemical teaching given in schools. 



The outcome of all scientific teaching must be to train men to become competent 

 to investigate nature for themselves. But unless the men are properly trained, and 

 are taught by the examples, more than by the precepts, of their teachers what true 

 scientific research is, they will only add a few more facts to that vast gathering 

 which is so often but so falsely called chemistry, and they will persuade themselves 

 that in doing this tliey are advancing the scientific study of nature. 



4. Suggested Amendment of Chemical Nomenclature. 

 Bij Professor A. Smithells, B.Sc. 



The object aimed at is to simplify chemical nomenclature by introducing a 

 general term to indicate the degrees of capacity which chemical compounds of acid 

 or basic character possess of entering into reaction with bases or acids to form salts 

 or salt-like bodies. The present system of terminology is contradictory, and offers 

 ^•eat difficulties to beginners. The following are some of the difficulties met 

 with : — 



a. An acid containing one atom of hydrogen replaceable by a metal to form a 

 salt is called monobasic, yet compounds like CPI^ and NallCO^ fulfilling the above 

 conditions are not acids. The term basic is used in the following contradictory 

 senses : Na.jO is a basic compound (oxide), IINO3 is a monobasic compound (acid), 

 BiONOj is a basic compound (salt). Phenol is not called a monobasic alcohol, 

 although it forms C^H^UNa. 



b. The term acid is also used in contradictory senses : HNO3 is an acid, CuSO^ 

 is acid (to test paper), NaHCO., is an acid salt, NaHO is a monacid base. Two of 

 these compounds have an acid reaction, two an alkaline or basic reaction. 



c. The nomenclature of alcohols is unsatisfactory. The term monatomic is 

 properly applied to a molecule (like that of zinc) which contains only one atom. 

 To apply the term hexatomic to molecules of sulphur and of mannitol is confusing. 

 The term monacid is equally inapplicable, as in the case of phenol which is not a 

 base-like compound, and should rather be called monobasic. Tlie term monhydric 

 literally implies one atom of replaceable hydrogen or hydroxyl, yet glycollic 

 acid is called monhydric. Xa^HPO^ ia monhydric in a different sense. IICl is 

 hydric chloride, H3PO3 is trihydric but only dibasic. 



d. Anhydrides are not named like acids. SO3 is not called dibasic, though it 

 unites with BaO to form BaSO^ ; nor are ethers spoken of as diacid oxides or 

 bases. 



e. There is no good term to distinguish between such bodies as PbCO,,Pb(OH),, 

 and PbC03,2Pb(OH),. 



In view of these and other difficulties it is proposed to use the word voracity to 

 indicate the property possessed by compounds of acid or basic function of entering 

 into reaction respectively with bases or acids. From this we get the words 

 monovoric, divoric, trivoric, tetravoric, &c. Thus an acid or body of acid function 

 which reacts with one molecule of caustic potash to form a salt is a monovorie 

 acid, whilst on the other hand a base or base-like body capable of entering into 

 reaction with one molecule of hvdrochloric acid to form a salt is a monovorie base. 



