potamology 
potamology (pot-a-mol'6-ji), . [< Or. 1 
river, + -Xo)ia, < tiytiv, say: see -ofawy.J The 
..-i.-ii'-.-'ir-.-i.-iitiflcstudyof rivers; also, atrea- 
<>n rivers. 
potance (po'tans), n. See potenee. 
potargot (|>o-fiir'gii), H. Same as botargo. 
There ' a fishmonger's boy with caviare, sir, 
Anchovies, and potaryo, to make you drink. 
FUtdter (and another), Elder Brother, 111. 3. 
potash (pot'ash), M. [= D. potatch = G. jiott- 
></ = Sw. jH>ttaxka = Dan. potaskt; as poft 
f <M*I. The P. potaxxe = Sp.potaxa = Pg. It. 
potaxxa, with NL. pottuma, are from G. or E.] 
A substance obtained by leaching wo<Hl-ashes, 
.-YMporating the solution obtained, and cal- 
i-iiiing the residuum; one of the fixed alkalis; 
the so-called vegetable alkali; more or less 
impure or crude potassium carbouate, or car- 
bonate of potash as formerly generally (and 
still very frequently) designated; any combi- 
nation of which potassium forms the base, whe- 
ther containing oxygen or not. Potash-salts play 
a most Important part in vegetable life, existing In all 
plants in various proportions, and in various combinations 
with both inorganic and organic acids. When plants are 
burned, the inorganic constituents remain behind in the 
ashes, and It Is by the lixlvlation or leaching of these ashes 
that potash was flrst obtained, a process with which the 
Greeks and Komans were acquainted, although they were 
unable clearly to distinguish potash from soda, calling 
thrin both by the same name (.-ITPOI-, nitrum). The name 
potash is of comparatively modern origin, and is derived 
from the fact that the potassiferous solution from wood- 
ashes was boiled down or concentrated In pots. It was 
not until about the middle of the eighteenth century that 
the two alkalis, soda and potash, were clearly distinguish- 
ed from each other; but they were considered to be sim- 
ple substances until after the beginning of the nineteenth 
century, when their metallic bases were separated from 
them by Davy (1807-8). Up to comparatively recent times 
the potash compounds used in the arts and they are nu- 
merous and of great importance were chiefly obtained 
In the form of crude potash after the method Indicated 
as having given origin to the name of this alkali, and this 
method Is still In use, although much less Important than 
ft formerly was. Saltpeter, or the nitrate of potash, had 
been long known, and obtained In a very different way. (See 
snltpeter.) Since the beginning of the present century pot- 
ash has been obtained in considerable quantity from the 
refuse of beet-root used In the manufacture of sugar, and 
from sheep's wool. It has also been got (In the form of 
the chlorid) from sea- water ; but the most important source 
of supply Is the region near Stassfurt in Prussia, where two 
minerals containing potassic compounds (carnallite, a 
double chlorid of potassium and magnesium, and ra-nite. 
containing sulphates of potash and magnesia with chlorid 
of magnesium) are found In abundance, and mined on a 
Urge scale. From these naturally occurring potasslferous 
compounds all the various salts of potash used In the art* 
are manufactured, and it is by using the potash-salts ob- 
tained at Stassfurt that the Chill saltpeter (nitrate of 
soda)is converted into common saltpeter or niter (nitrate 
of potash), a substance Important a* the principal ingre- 
dient In the manufacture of gunpowder. Caustic pot- 
ash. See caurtic.- Fish and potash-salts. BeajbAL 
Lump-potash, the trade name for a crude potash con- 
taining about 6 per cent, of water. Potash alum. See 
alum. Potash feldspar. See orthodase, mifrodine, feld- 
spar. Potash kettle country. See Irettle-tnnraine. 
Potash lye, the strong aqueous solution of caustic pot- 
ash or of potassium carbonate Potash mica. See m- 
couite, 2, mini-. Potash-water, an aerated beverage con- 
sisting of ciu-bonlc-actd water to which is added potas- 
sium bicarbonate. 
potass (po-tas'), n. [< F. potaxse, < NL. jiotassa : 
see i>ntitx*n.~\ Same as potash. 
potassa (po-tas'ft), . [Nl,.: see po task.] Pot- 
ash. 
potassamide, potassiamide (pot-as-am'id, po- 
tas-i-am'id), . [< NL. potaxxium + E. amide'.'] 
An olive-green compound (KNHg) formed by 
heating potassium in ammonia gas. 
potassic' (po-tas'ik), n. [= F. potassique ; as 
potasxium + -ic.] Relating to potassium; con- 
taining potassium as an ingredient. 
potassic- (po-tas'ik), a. [< potatxa + -jr.] 
Consisting of or related to potash. 
potassiferous (pot-a-sif'e-rus), n. [< NL.^ofas- 
xa, potash. + 1,. fi-rrc = K. ftearl.] Containing 
or yielding potash or potassic salts. 
potassium (|x>-tas'i-um), . [= F. potassium 
= 8p. iiotiiniii = Pg.potaxsio,iiotaxxium = It. po- 
tassio; < NL. potassium, < potassa, potash: see 
potaxxa.'] Chemical symbol, K (for Icalium); 
atomic weight, 39.1. The metallic base of the 
alkali potash, a substance not occurring nii- 
combined in nature, but in various combina- 
tions widely diffused and of the highest impor- 
tance. Hee potaxh. Potassium is silvery-white, and 
has a decided metallic luster. Its specific gravity Is U.875, 
and It Is the lightest of all the metals with the exception 
'( lithium. At the freezing-point of water It Is brittle 
and has a crystalline fracture ; at the ordinary tempera- 
tare It Is soft and may easily be cut with the knife. It 
was first obtained by Davy, In 1807, by the electrolysis of 
potash ; but IU preparation in tin- large way Is effected 
by the i-.-nlili.il of a mixture of charcoal and potassium 
carbonate In a mercury bottle or iron tulx- coated with 
' lav. In !> rf'i tly pure and dry air It undergoes no 
change: hut in HKllnary air It ,,i,.imtii 
4648 
a Dim of potassium hydrate and carbonate. Its affinity 
for water Is so great that when brought Into contact with 
It Immediate decomposition is effected, and sufficient 
beat evolved to set on Ore the liberated hydrogen, which 
burns with the characteristic violet flame of potassium. 
Next to cvsluni and rubidium It Is the most electroposi- 
tive element. It is a most powerful reducing agent, and 
hence has been largely employed for separating other 
metals from their various combinations ; but at the pres- 
ent time sodium, being cheaper, Is more generally em- 
ployed for that purpose. Among the most important salts 
of potassium are the chlorid or muriate, Ki'l, mined at 
Stassfurt, Ucrmany, and used as a fertilizer as well as the 
starting-point for the manufacture of other potash-salU; 
polonium Morale, KCIO;* which Is used In the arts as an 
oxidizing agent and In the manufacture of explosives; 
potturium nitrate, K.NOj, niter or saltpeter, made at pres- 
ent by the double decomposition of sodium nitrate and 
potassium chlorid, which is used in medicine and pyrc- 
techny, but chiefly In the manufacture of gunpowder; 
potassium carbrtnate, KoCOa, which, under the commer- 
cial names of potash ana pearlash, is largely used in the 
manufacture of soap and glass, and as a basis for making 
other potash-salts; polonium cyanide, KCN, a violent 
poison, used In photography and as a reducing agent ; and 
potassium bichromate, K-_.< 'r-^ 17, red chromate of potash, 
much used in dyeing ana calico-printing. Carbovinate 
of potassium, more properly ethyl-potassium carbonate., 
('-..HsK.CD.-i. a white crystalline ether obtained by the ac- 
tion of carbon dloxid upon perfectly dry potassium hydrate 
In absolute alcohol. Cobalticyanide of potassium. 
See cobattifyanidf. Potassium bltartrate. Same as 
cream of tartar (which see, under erraml). Potassium- 
Chlorate battery, an electric battery in which depolari- 
zation is produced by means of potassium chlorate with 
sulphuric acid. Potassium cyanide, ferrocyanide, 
myronate, etc. See cyanide, etc. 
potatet, a. [< L. potato*, pp. of potare, drink : 
see potation.) In alcliemy, liquefied, as a metal ; 
potable. 
Eight, nine, ten days hence 
He [Mercury] will be silver potate, then three days 
Before he citnmize. /.'. Jonson, Alchemist, iii. 2. 
potation (po-ta'shon), n. [< OF. potation, po- 
tacion = OSp. pofacion = It. potagione, potazi- 
one, < L. potatio(n-), a drinking, < potare, pp. 
potatux, drink (= Ir.potaim, I dnnk); ct.potttx, 
drunken, (= Gr. Trorof, drunk : see below), po- 
tiis (potu-), a drinking, potio(n-), a drinking, 
drink; < -y/ po = (Jr. / JTO in jrorof, drunk, for 
drinking (neut. jroroV, what is drunk, drink), 
iro-or, a drinking, prob. TOTOUOT, river, stream, 
\/ TTI in irivttr, drink, = Skt. \f pa, drink. From 
the same (L.) source are ult. potable, potion, pot- 
ton, fompotation, and (from Gr.) symposium, etc.] 
1. The act of drinking; drinking. 
Upon the account of these words so expounded by some 
of toe fathers concerning oral manducation and putatitm, 
they believe themselves bound by the same necessity to 
give the encharist to Infante as to give them baptism. 
Jtr. Taylor, On the Real Presence, ill. :t. 
2. A drinking-bout ; a drinking-party ; a coin- 
potation ; especially, an annual entertainment 
formerly given by schoolmasters to their pupils. 
See potation-penny, 
The Count and other nobles from the same country 
Holland | w.-re too apt to indulge in those mighty pota- 
tinn* which were rather characteristic of their nation and 
the age. Motley, Hist Netherlands, II. 138. 
Statutes of Hartlebury, Worcestershire, "the seventh 
year of our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth " : " The said 
Schoolmaster shall and may have, use, and take the profits 
of all such cock-nghts and potation* as arc commonly 
used In Schools, and such other gifts as shall be freely 
given them, . . . over and besides their wages, until their 
salary and stipend shall lie augmented " (vol. II. p. 7M>). 
.V. and Q., 7th ser., IX. 90. 
3. A drink ; n draught. 
Roderigo, 
Whom love hath tnrn'd almost the wrong side out, 
To Desdemona hath to-night caroused 
Potation* pottle-deep. Shot., Othello, II. 3. 8fl. 
4. A liquor dnink ; a drink; a beverage. 
If I had a thousand sons, the flrst humane principle I 
would teach them should be, to forswear thin potation* 
and to addict themselves to sack. 
SAa*., 2 Hen. IV., IT. 8. 136. 
potation-penny (po-ta'shon-pen'i), H. Money 
paid by the scholars or their friends to the mas- 
ter of a school to enable him to give an enter- 
tainment (usually in Lent) to the scholars on 
quitting school. In some counties of England 
this is still continued, and is called "the drink- 
ing." Whartnn, Hist. Manchester Grammar 
School, p. 25. 
I n.li-r the head of Manchester School, Carlisle gives a 
cony of an indenture of feoffracnt by Hugh Bexwvke and 
Johnne Bexwyke, on April I, 1524, containing ordinances. 
our. if whk-his: 'IlMii, that every schoolmaster . . . shall 
teach freely . . . without any money or other rewards 
taken therefore, as Cock penny, Victor-penny, Potation 
jwmy, or any other whatsoever It be " (vol. I. p. 077). 
X. and <j., 7th ser., IX. 90. 
potato (po-ta'to), M. ; pi. potatoes (-toz). [Early 
mod. E. also potntoe, pottatoc, potatus, potades 
(quasi NL. ) ; also batatas = G. potate, sweet po- 
tato, = Dan. /<(*/, poteteii = 8w. potiil. /.//;/>. 
ia, white potato (< E.); = K. /mtii/i . .sw.-.-t 
tii (.-f. IIIIIHIIK <lt tin':, 'earth-apple,' whit.- 
potato 
potato), < 8p. 7>otaffl,white potato, batata, sw .-.-i 
potato, = Pg. batata, sweet potato (XL. litttn- 
tas), < Haytian batata, sweet potato.] It. The 
sweet potato. See below. [This was the original 
application of the name, and It Is in this sense that the 
word Is generally to be understood when used by English 
writers down to the middle of the seventeenth century. | 
This Plant (which Is called of some Sisarum Peruvl- 
aniini, or Skyrreta of Peru) Is generally of us called .Pota- 
to* or Potato's. It hath long rough flexible branches trail- 
ing upon the ground, like unto those of Pomplons, where- 
upon are set greene three cornered leaves very like those 
of the wilde Cucumber. . . . cluslns calleth It Batata, 
Camotes,Amotes,andIgnanies: In Kngllsh, Potatoes, Pota- 
tus, and Potades. Oerarde, Herball <163), of Potato's. 
Candied potatoes are Athenians' meat 
Manton, Scourge of Villanie, iii 
2. One of the esculent tubers of the common 
plant Solatium tuberosum, or the plant itself. 
The potato is a native of the Andes, particularly In Chill 
and Peru, but In the variant boreale It reaches north to 
New Mexico. It was probably flrst Introduced Into Europe 
from the region of Quito by the Spaniards, In the earlier 
part of the fifteenth century. In 1586 It was brought to 
England from Virginia, where, however, it was probably 
derived from a Spanish source. Its progress In Europe 
was slow, Its culture, even in Ireland, not becoming gen- 
eral till the middle of the eighteenth century; but It Is 
now a staple food in most temperate cllmatea. The fruit 
of the potato-plant Is a worthless green berry ; Its useful 
product is the underground tubers, which in the wild 
plant are small, but are much enlarged under cultiva- 
tion. These tubers, which are of a roundish or oblong 
shape, sometimes flattlsh, are set with "eyes," really the 
axils of rudimentary leaves, containing ordinarily several 
buds, and it is by means of these that the plant Is usu- 
ally propagated. The food-value of the potato lies most- 
ly In starch, of which It contains from 16 to 20 or 25 per 
cent It Is deficient In albuminoids and phosphates. 
Besides their ordinary food-use, potatoes are a source of 
manufactured starch ; and spirits are now distilled from 
them to a considerable extent, chiefly In Germany. The 
tops (In America called tines, In England halms, In Scot- 
land *Aairg) contain, together with the fruit, a poisonous 
alkaloid, solanin, absent in the tubers except when ex- 
posed to the sun. The varieties of the potato are numer- 
ous. The crop Is often seriously injured by the potato- 
beetle and the potato-rot To distinguish it from the 
yellow sweet potato, this plant Is sometimes called white 
txttato or (from its being one of the chief food-staples in 
Ireland) Irinh potato. 
Virginian Potato hath many hollow flexible branches 
trailing upon the ground, three square, uneven, knotted 
or kneed in sundry places at ccrtaine distances : from the 
which knots cometh forth one great leaf made of divers 
leaves. . . . Because it hath not only the shape and pro- 
portion of Potato's, but also the pleasant taste and vertues 
of the same, we may call it In English Potatoes of America 
or Virginia. 
Qcrarde, Herball (1036), Of Potatoes of Virginia. 
They dygge also owte of the ground certeyne rootes 
growynge of theim selucs, whiche they caule Botatas. 
. . . The skyn is snmwhat towgher than eytherof naules 
or mussheroms, and of earthy coloure : But the Inner 
mi ati' thereof is verye whyte. 
Peter Martyr (tr. In Eden's First Books on America, ed. 
[Arber, p. 131). 
Canada potato, the Jerusalem artichoke. Chat pota- 
toes. See chat*. Cree potato, PtortUs) cscultnta: so 
called as used by the Cree Indians. Hog's potato, in 
California, the death-camass, Zyvadenus veneiwtnis, whose 
tubers are said to be eaten eagerly by hogs.- Indian po- 
tato, (a) The groundnut or wild bean, Apios tuberosa : so 
called on account of Its small edible tubers, (ft) The lilia- 
ceous genus Calochortits : so called from Its bulhorcorm. 
Irish potato. See def. -J. Native potato, of New South 
Wales, Marsdenia viridiflora ; of Tasmania, Gaxtrodia ecta- 
moides, an orchid with a rootstalk thickened Into a tuber. 
Oil Of potatoes, an amylic alcohol obtained from spir- 
its made from potatoes. It is somewhat oily in appearance, 
has a strong smell, at flrst pleasant but afterward nau- 
seous, and a very acrid taate. Potato starch a fecula 
obtained from the potato, and also called Knglish arrow- 
root. Seaside potato, Ipomtra biloba (/. Pes-eapre!\ a 
twining and creeping plant of tropical shores in both 
hemispheres, said to reach a length sometimes of 100 feet 
Small potatoes, something petty or insignificant or 
contemptible. [Slang, U. S.| 
All our American poets are but mall potatoes compared 
with r.ryimt. Quoted in De Vere's Americanisms. 
I took to attendln' Baptist meetln', because the Pres- 
byterian minister here is such small potatoes that 'twan't 
edifying to sit under his preachin'. 
Mrs. Whitcher, Widow Bedott Papers, p. 188. 
Spanish potato, the sweet potato. Sweet potato, (a) 
A plant of the convolvulus family, Ijmnua Batatas, or one 
of Its spindle-shaped fleshy esculent root*. The plant Is 
creeping, rarely twining, vine, with variously heart- 
shaped, halberd-shaped, or triangular (sometimes cut- 
lobed) leaves, and a blossom like that of the common 
morning-glory, but leas open, and rose-purple with a hit.- 
border. Its value lies in the roots, which are richer in 
starch, and still more in sugar, than the common potato. 
Their use is very much that of the latter, but in Mexico 
they are said to be regarded U a sweetmeat, and in Spain 
they are made Into a preserve. 'I li- \ ;in- re.l, yt-llow, or 
M In!- In different varieties, and range In weight from 
that of the common potato up to many pounds. A va- 
riety In the southern United States Is called yam. The 
sweet potato appears to have originated In tropical Amer- 
lea, but Is referred by some to the East Indies, or to lioth 
hemispheres. It Is widely cultivated In warm climates, 
and Is successfully grown In the United States as far 
north as New Jersey and Illinois, and even Michigan, (ft) 
In Bengal, the yam. Tellnga potato, Anwrjthophattvt 
ammftmtilnttu. an aimceons plant much cnlttvatad In India 
for Its esculent tubers. white potato. See def. i 
