EARTHS.

315

CONVERSATION XI.

ON EARTHS.

MRS. B.

The earths, which we are to-day to examine,are ten in number :

silex,

ALUMINE,

BARYTES ,

LIME,

MAGNESIA,

STRONTITES,

YTTRIA ,

GLUCINA,

ZIRCONIA,

GARGONIA.

The five last are of very late discovery; theirproperties are but imperfectly known; and as theyhave not yet been applied to use, it will be un-necessary to enter into any particulars respectingthem; we shall confine our remarks, therefore, tothe six first. The earths in general are, like thealkalies, incombustible substances.

CAROLINE.

Yet I have seen turf burnt in the country, andit makes an excellent fire ; the earth becomes redhot, and produces a very great quantity of heat,p 2