Soluble Glass
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This page describes trade processes that use dangerously toxic materials such as cyanide solutions, mercury amalgams, or strong acids. These processes require training, equipment, and precautions far beyond what the text describes.
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This alkaline silicate, known as water-glass, liquid quartz, etc., was discovered by Prof. Fuchs of Munich, 1825. It has the property of solubility in water, and may while in that state be applied to glass painting, waterproofing materials, restoration of decaying stone buildings, and as a binding element in artificial stone. When the water has evaporated it leaves a hard, gelatinous, transparent glass, which is impervious to water or destructive atmospheric changes. Mixed with metallic oxides it is a good paint for frescos, and also for commoner purposes. The solution is obtained by fusing together pulverized quartz 15, potash 10, and pulverized charcoal 1. This mass when cold is crushed, and boiled for three hours in five times its weight of water, taking care to supply what is lost by evaporation. The result is a viscid mass, which must be preserved in well-stoppered vessels. The glass may be diluted to suit whatever purpose it is employed for. Solvent for Gold.--Mix equal parts of nitric and muriatic acids. See GOLD; AQUA REGIA. Soot is formed by the fuel which escapes combustion, and is composed principally of particles of carbon from a coal or wood fire. The lighter particles of ash are also mixed with it, as well as hydrocarbons from unburnt hydrocarbon vapors, and some ammoniacal salts. The latter qualities are what makes soot valuable as a manure. See CARBON.
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Solution
in ordinary language, the act of separating the parts of any body; disruption, breach; also, the act of solving, explaining, answering, or clearing up, as a problem, question, doubt; the state of being solved, explained, answered, or cleared up; or, that which serves to solve, explain, answer, or clear up a problem, question, doubt, or the like, explanation, resolution. In chemistry, a term applied to the product of the action, as well as the action itself, whereby a solid or gaseous body in contact with a liquid suffers liquefaction; or to the union of one liquid with another when each is capable of taking up only a limited quantity of the other.
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Solvay
ERNEST, a Belgian chemist, born in 1838. His chief investigations were connected with the development of the ammonia process for the manufacture of soda and its establishment on a commercial basis. He erected his first plant in Belgium in 1863. His processes were continually improved and patents covering it were granted. gra He established est plants in all parts of the world and by 1913 practically had acquired control of the world's supply of soda. He founded the Solvay Institute in Brussels for the advancement of social democracy, and was also active in philanthropic work. He made large gifts to educational institutions in Paris and in Belgium, and was president of the Belgian Academy of Letters. During the World War he took an active part in relieving the distress of Belgium, although the greater part of his fortune was taken by the Germans during their occupation of Belgium.
a city of New York, in Onondaga co. It is on the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western, and the New York Central and Hudson River railroads, and on the State Barge Canal. It joins Syracuse on the west. Its chief industries are the manufacture of chemicals, pottery, and iron. The city has a public library and a high school building. Pop. (1910) 5,139; (1920) 7,352.
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Somaliland Protectorate
a British protectorate in Africa. It is on the Gulf of Aden and is bounded inland by Italian territory. The area is 68,000 square miles. The natives lead a nomad existence and engage in cattle-raising, and in the coastal towns there is much commerce, with exports of hides and skins, cattle and sheep, gold, salt, ivory, and gums. Cotton piece-goods, rice, rice, dates, dates, shirtings and sugar are largely imported. The ports ports are Zeila, Bulhar, and Berbera. It formerly belonged to Abyssinia, but in 1884 the British succeeded in gaining a footing, and it has since been administered by a commissioner, with officials in the coast towns. Pop. about 375,000.
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Sombrerete
a town of Mexico, State of Zacatecas, 85 miles N. W. of the town of that name, is the center of a rich silver mining district. Pop. about 11,000.
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Sombrero Island
a small rocky British island midway between Anguilla and the Virgin group, West Indies. It has a lighthouse. There are large deposits of phosphates of lime.
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Somerset
LADY HENRY (ISA BEL), an English social worker, born in 1850, the eldest daughter of the third Earl Somers. In 1873 she married Lord Henry Somerset. She became interested in temperance reform, and in 1895 she founded an industrial farm colony for inebriate women at Duxhurst. It was the first institution of its kind in England. She also established a home for training workhouse children, and other philanthropic organizations. She was for a number of years president of the National British Women's Temperance Association and of the World's Women's Temperance Union. She made several visits to the United States.
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Somersetshire
a county of S. W. England, forming parts of the S. and E. shores of the Bristol Channel. Area, 1,615 square miles. Pop. about 425,000. The surface of the county is diversified. There are lofty hills, rich valleys, barren moors, and vast stretches of marsh lands, much of the latter being below high water and protected by sea banks and sluices. The wild district of Exmoor in the western part of the county, is well known. The principal river is the Bristol Avon. The principal agricultural products are wheat and barley, the quality of which is especially famous in the neighborhood of Bridgewater. Cattle-breeding is also carried on extensively, and the dairy products of the county, especially cheddar cheese, have been noted for a long time. The rich mineral products, consisting chiefly of iron, are not worked extensively. The principal manufactures are woolens, coarse linens, gloves, silk, and lace. Capital, Taunton (pop. about 23,000). city of New
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Somersworth
a Hampshire, in Strafford co. It is on the Salmon Falls river, and on the Boston and Maine railroad. It is important for its manufactories of textiles and dyes. It has a public library and a municipal theater. Pop. (1910) 6,704; (1920) 6,688.
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