Facts in Chemistry

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W. Curry, jun. & Company, 1842 - 92 pages

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Page 81 - About sixty years ago a quantity of oak stakes were found in the bed of the Thames, in the very spot where Tacitus says that the Britons fixed a vast number of such stakes to prevent the passage of Julius Ca?sar and liis army. These stakes were charred to a considerable depth, had retained their form completely, and were firm at the heart.
Page 12 - That not to know at large of things remote From use, obscure and subtle, but to know That which before us lies in daily life, Is the prime wisdom...
Page 25 - ... of the boat, for the purpose. Such is the friction of the line, when running round the bollard, that it frequently envelopes the harpooner in smoke ; and if the wood were not repeatedly wetted, would probably set fire to the boat.
Page 39 - Though their firm hearts no pageant-honour boast, They scorn the wretch that trembles in his post, Who from the face of danger strives to turn, Indignant from the social hour they spurn. Though now full oft they felt the raging tide, In proud rebellion climb the vessel's side...
Page 78 - Diamonds take precedence of every gem for the purpose of dress and decoration ; and hence the price attached to those of a pure water increases in so rapid a proportion, that, beyond a certain term, there is no rule of commercial valuation. The largest diamond that is known seems to be that of the Rajah of Mattan in the East Indies. It is of the purest water, and weighs 367 carats, or, at the rate of 4 grains to a carat, upwards of 3 ounces troy.
Page 33 - Ibs. lead, 2 Ibs. antimony, and 1 Ib. bismuth. The antimony and bismuth are added when the lead is melted. This alloy expands in cooling ; the mould is, therefore, entirely filled when the metal is cold, and no blemish is found in the letters. Stereotype plates are formed of this alloy. Some manufacturers employ tin instead of bismuth.
Page 48 - ... that character but many of which are highly alkaline, and yield salts by uniting with acids. The phenomena of oxidation are very variable. It is sometimes produced with great rapidity and with the evolution of heat and light, as in the case of the iron wire above alluded to; on other occasions it takes place slowly and without any appearance of heat or light, as is exemplified by the rusting of iron when exposed to a moist atmosphere.
Page 27 - ... direction the declining walls of a gallery in the Abbey of St. Martin, now the Conservatory of Arts and Trades. The weight of the roof had pressed outwards the side walls of the structure, and excited apprehensions for its safety, when M. Molard contrived to render it secure by the following process : Several holes were made in the walls opposite to each other, through which were introduced iron bars stretching across the gallery, with their extremities extending beyond the walls ; and to these...
Page 69 - Their tops are closed with earthen lids, and from their shoulders proceeds a pipe of about two inches diameter, which bends down, and enters into another covered pot, with a hole in its bottom, standing over a tub filled with water. On applying heat to the gallery the sulphur melts, volatilizes, and runs down in a liquid state into the tubs, where it congeals.
Page 90 - Railroad [cop. 1902]. 125 p., 1 map, 2 pi. 8°. Coad (J.) The angling excursions of Gregory Greendrake, in the counties of Wicklow, Meath, Westmeath, Longford and Cavan, with additions by Geoffrey Greydrake. Dedicated to " all honest brothers of the angle.

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