Chemistry of Nature (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1837 edition. Excerpt: ... XI. USES OF WATER IN NATURAL OPERATIONS. 331. The action of water in the economy of nature is dependent on its relation to heat; on its disposition to unite with some earthy matters and form hydrates; on its dissolving power; on its power of penetrating and draining through porous rocks and earth; and on its invariable tendency to flow from a higher to a lower situation, by which means matters dissolved or mechanically suspended in it, are transported to a distance. When water saturated with saline matters cools, or diminishes in quantity from evaporation, so much of the saline matter will be deposited in the solid form. When from some chemical action an insoluble solid is formed in water, the solid will subside to the bottom in fine powder. When water containing solid matter mechanically suspended in fine powder becomes still, the solid matter will subside and form a sediment at the bottom. In considering the relation of water to geological phenomena, either in former periods or at the present time, it is important to bear in mind that in almost all cases the quantity of any solid which it can dissolve increases with the temperature, and that the quantity of gaseous bodies which it can absorb increases with the pressure. 332. As an illustration of the uses of water, it may be mentioned that the vegetable creation is dependent for support on the dissolving power of this liquid. Plants take in their food by their capillary rootlets only in the fluid form, and it is water which dissolves it and gives it this form. Water also aids in the decomposition of the organic matters found in the soil, from which plants derive their main support. In relation to the animal creation the uses of water are obvious. The most interesting actions of water...