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PICK

In cooling, it becomes crystalline. It is sour to the taste, reddensvegetable blues; and with lime, magnesia, potass, soda, &c, it formsphosphites.

Phosphorus is prepared from phosphoric acid, procured by decomposingearth of bones with sulphuric acid. The phosphoric acid is mixedwith an equal weight of charcoal, and distilled at a red heat in aglass or earthenware retort, the beak of which is immersed in water.The phosphorus passes over at the end of the process like reddishwax, and is to be purified by redistilling.Or, Mix four parts of phosphate of soda with one part of acetate oflead in solution, which will give a precipitate of phosphate of lead;and this upon being distilled, will yield phosphorus.Soluble in warm oil and rectified ether, but insoluble in water. Dr.John Davy says it is very slightly soluble in water. It combineswith the earths and metals, forming phosphurets.Medicinally it is a very powerful but hazardous tonic, in the dose ofgr. £ cautiously increased for nervous debility, arising from debau-chery, or old age. (Leroi.)Poisonous, producing excruciating pain of the stomach and bowels, ataste of garlic in the mouth, dreadful convulsions, and sometimesimmediate death. As it acts by burning, the best treatment is togive copious draughts of any liquid to keep down the flame, andlarge doses of magnesia to neutralize the phosphoric and phosphorousacids produced. Vomiting, also, is to be promoted, and bleeding willoften be necessary.Test. The inflammable nature and smell of garlic emitted by thephosphorus.

Phosphorus of Antimony is prepared by calcining fine porous oyster-shells in a crucible with finely-pulverized sulphuret of antimony.It is superior to Bologna phosphorus. (M. Osann.)

Phosphorus op Arsenic is prepared by exposing for half an hour to ared heat a paste made of arseniate of barytes and gum-adragante.(ME, Osann.)

Phosphorus (Bologna) is composed, according to Osann, of equal partsof barytes and sulphur.

Phosphorus (Canton's) is made by exposing to a red heat a mixture ofcalcined oyster-shells and sulphur. Osann says it contains equalparts of lime and sulphur.

Phosphorus (Kunckell's). Phosphorus wince. O. Is prepared bydistilling stale urine and redistilling the residuum.

Pickles are preparations of various green fruits, vegetables, roots, &c,made with vinegar (which must not be boiled) as a basis, and spicesadded to give more flavour and pungency. The best acid is the