CARBONATE OF SODA. 103 



salt occurs also in efflorescences on the limestone below 

 Genesee Falls, near Rochester, N. Y. It is also obtained 

 in Austria, Hungary and elsewhere in Europe. 



The artificial salt was first discovered by a German • 

 chemist by the name of Glauber. It is usually prepared for 

 the arts from sea water. 



NITRATE OF SODA. 



Rhombohedral ; R: R = 106° 33'. Also in crusts or 

 efflorescences, of white, grayish and brownish colors; taste 

 cooling. Soluble and very deliquescent. 



Composition: nitric acid 63 5, soda 36-5. Burns vividly 

 on coat, with a yellow light. 



Dif It resembles niter, (saltpeter,) but deliquesces, and 

 gives a deep yellow light when burning. 



06s. In the district of Tarapaca, the dry Pampa for an 

 extent of forty leagues is covered with beds of this salt, mixeo 

 with gypsum, common salt, Glauber salt and remains of 

 recent shells. The country appears to have been under the 

 sea at no very remote period. 



Uses. It is used extensively in the manufacture of nitric 

 acid or aqua fortis. 



natron. — Carbonate of Soda. 



Monoclinic. Generally in white efflorescent crusts, 

 sometimes yellowish or grayish. Taste alkaline. Effloresces 

 on exposure, and the surface becomes white and pulverulent. 



Composition : a simple hydrous carbonate of soda. Effer- 

 vesces strongly with nitric acid. 



Dif. Distinguished from other soda salts by effervescing, 

 and from Trona, by efflorescing on exposure. 



Obs. Abundant in the soda lakes of Egypt, situated in a 

 barren valley called Bahr-bela-ma, about 30 miles west of 

 the Delta. Also in lakes at Debreczin in Hungary ; in 

 Mexico, north of Zacatecas, and elsewhere. Sparingly dis* 

 solved in the Seltzer and Carlsbad waters. 



Trona is a sesquicarbonate of soda. In the province of 

 Suckenna in Africa, between Tripoli and Fezzan, it forms a 



How does nitrate of soda differ in composition from niter? What 

 are other peculiarities distinguishing ; t? For what is it used? Wherfl 

 does it occur native ? What are the distinctive characters of carbona** 

 of soda ? 



