The manuscript has been read by Prof. Henry Carmichael, Ph.D., of Boston, and to his broad and accurate scholarship, as well as to his deep personal interest in the work, the author is indebted for much valuable and original matter. The following persons have generously read the proof, as a whole or in part, and made suggestions regarding it, and to them the author would return his thanks, as well as acknowledge his obligation: Prof. E. J. Bartlett, Dartmouth College, N.H.; Prof. F. C. Robinson, Bowdoin College, Me.; Prof. H. S. Carhart, Michigan University; Prof. B. D. Halsted, Iowa Agricultural College; Prof. W. T. Sedgwick, Institute of Technology, Boston; Pres. M. E. Wadsworth, Michigan Mining School; Prof. George Huntington, Carleton College, Minn.; Prof. Joseph Torrey, Iowa College; Mr. C. J. Lincoln, East Boston High.School; Mr. W. H. Sylvester, English High School, Boston; Mr. F. W. Gilley, Chelsea, Mass., High School; the late D. S. Lewis, Chemist of the Boston Gas Works, and others. R. P. W. BOSTON, January 3, 1888. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I. THE METRIC SYSTEM. Length.--Volume.--Weight CHAPTER II. DIVISIBILITY OF MATTER. Mass.-Molecule.--Atom.--Element.--Compound.--Mixture.-- Analysis.--Synthesis.--Metathesis.--Chemism CHAPTER III. MOLECULES AND ATOMS. Synthesis CHAPTER IV. ELEMENTS AND BINARIES. Symbols.--Names.--Coefficients.--Exponents.--Table of elements CHAPTER V. MANIPULATION. To prepare and cut glass, etc. CHAPTER VI. OXYGEN. Preparation.--Properties.--Combustion of carbon; sulphur; phosphorus; iron. Chapter VII NITROGEN Separation--Properties CHAPTER VIII HYDROGEN Preparation--Properties--Combustion--Oxy-hydrogen blowpipe CHAPTER IX UNION BY WEIGHT Meaning of equations--Problems CHAPTER X CARBON Preparation--Allotropic forms: diamond, graphite, amorphous carbon, coke, mineral coal.--Carbon a reducing agent, a decolorizer, disinfectant, absorber of gases CHAPTER XI VALENCE Poles of attraction--Radicals CHAPTER XII ELECTRO-CHEMICAL RELATION OF ELEMENTS Deposition of silver; copper; lead--Table of metals and non- metals, and discussion of their differences CHAPTER XIII. ELECTROLYSIS. Decomposition of water and of salts--Conclusions CHAPTER XIV. UNION BY VOLUME. Avogadro's law and its applications. CHAPTER XV. ACIDS AND BASES. Characteristics of acids and bases.--Anhydrides.--Naming of acids.--Alkalies CHAPTER XVI. SALTS. Preparation from acids and bases.--Naming of salts.--Occurrence CHAPTER XVII CHLORHYDRIC ACID. Preparation and tests.--Bromhydric, iodhiydric, and fluorhydric acids.--Etching glass CHAPTER XVIII. NITRIC ACID. Preparation, properties, tests, and uses.--Aqua regia: preparation and action CHAPTER XIX. SULPHURIC ACID. Preparation, tests, manufacture, and importance.-Fuming sulphuric acid CHAPTER XX. AMMONIUM HYDRATE. Preparation of bases.--Formation, preparation, tests, and uses of ammonia. Chapter XXI. SODIUM HYDRATE.