Soda
A compound of oxygen and a metallic basis called sodium. It was formerly called mineral alkali, as it is found in mineral seams and crusts, and in great abundance in certain lakes in Egypt being brought thither by the water which enters from the neighboring country during the overflow of the Nile, and precipitated by evaporation during the dry season. Barilla is impure soda obtained by burning plants near the sea. Kelp is obtained by burning seaweed. For the purposes of commerce, soda is obtained from common salt. See SALT; SODIUM.