EARTHS. In chemistry, a group of metallic oxides. The principal earths are baryta strontia, lime, magnesia, alumina, berylla or glucina, yttria, zirconia, and thoria. The first four are termed ALKALINE EARTHS; the remainder, together with the oxides of the very rare metals erbium, terbium, norium, cerium, lanthanum, and didymium, constitute the EARTHS PROPER.
The term earth was very loosely applied by the older chemical and pharmaceutical writers, and the practice is still common among the vulgar at the present day. Thus, ABSORBENT EARTH (chalk); ALUMINOUS E., ARGILLACEOUS E. (alumina); BOLAR E. (bole); BONE-E. (phosphate of lime); FULLER’S E. (an absorbent clay); HEAVY E. (baryta); Japan e., or terra Japonica (catechu); SEALED E. (bole), &c., are names even now frequently encountered both in trade and in books.
EARTHEN-WARE AND GLASS, to prevent the Cracking of. When quite new, all vessels of glass and earthenware should be laid to soak in cold water, and after some hours, this water, covering the vessels, should be gradually heated to the boiling point. It is a good plan to place a little hay on the top of the water.
Glass and earthenware vessels thus treated are far less liable to crack when subjected to the heat of boiling water than it would otherwise be.
EARTH-NUT. See Arachis Hypogœa.
EAU. (Fr.) Water. This word, like its English synonym, is applied to numerous substances, differing in their composition, sensible properties, and uses, of which the following are a few useful examples:—Eau douce, fresh or river water; Eau de mer, sea or salt water; Eau de fontaine, Eau de source, spring water; Eau de puits, well or pump water; Eau de rivière, river water; Eau distillée, distilled water; Eau de rose, rose water; Eau de vie, brandy; Eau de Cologne, Cologne water; Eau d’Hongrie, Hungary water; Eau bénite, holy water; Eau forte, aquafortis; Eau de savon, soapsuds; Eau de senteur, scented water, &c.
Eau Athenienne. (Hte. Bourgeois, Paris.) Pour nettoyer la tête et enlever les pellicules—for cleaning the head and removing scurf. An alcoholic solution of potash-soap,
with some solution of potash and aromatic oil. (Dr P. Goppelsröder.)
Eau Berger for Dyeing the Hair. Two fluids for consecutive application. No. 1 is a solution of 1·3 grammes sulphate of copper, ·25 grammes nitrate of nickel, 30 grammes distilled water, 4 grammes ammonia. No. 2 is a solution of calcium sulphide, made by passing sulphuretted hydrogen into milk of lime until it ceases to be absorbed, and then filtering from the excess of lime. (W. Engelhardt.)
Eau Capillaire Progressive, pour rétablir la coleur naturelle des cheveux et de la barbe. Formule rationelle, succès garanti. Progressive hair-wash for restoring the natural colour of the hair and beard. Formula rational, success guaranteed (Dr R. Brimmeyer, chimie-pharmacien, Echternach, Luxembourg). (Schädler.)