Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/525

491&#93; CH A its scry pungent taste, it has often been used with advantage in dis- eases peculiar to females. — Bech- st*:in. In dying, a decoction of the whole plant, when in flower, im- parted a permanent citron colour to wool prepared in a solution of bismuth. — Dambourney. 3. The thitioria, or ox-eye chamomile, grows oil high sunny pastures, but is rarely to be met with in Britain. Air. Dickson found it in Essex. Formerly, it was discovered by Ray, on a bank dear the river Tees, not tar from Sugburn, Durham. This plant has doubly winged, serrated leaves, cottony underneath, and its stem supports a corymlus, or flowers pro- gressively standing each on a pro- per fruit stalk ; attains the height of about eighteen inches ; spreads out its branches ; and bears yellow blos- soms in July and August. It is ea.ten by horses and goats ; but •not fondly by sheep, and refused by cows and swine. The flowers of the yellow ox-eye. afford a remarkably clear and good v dye. — Withering. — If the root of nettles and a little alum be boiled together with this plant, a most beautiful yellow may be'given to wool. — Linn-Kus. — None of these colours, however, is perma- nent. — Dambourney. Chamomile, the Wild. Sec Common Fevebfew. CHARCOAL, or Carbon of the French chemists, a sort of artificial coal, or fuel, consisting of half- burnt wood. It is chiefly used, where a clear and strong lire with- out smoke is required ; for the hu- midity of the wood is dissipated by lb... iire in which it was prepared. The art of making charcoal is- very ancient; for even Solomon [491 (Proverb xxvi. 21), distinguishes, that kind of fuel from common iire- wood. Among- the Romans, it was held in great estimation, and ./Emi- lius ScauruSj the conqueror of the Ligurians, was a charcoal-mer- chant. Pliny describes the pile* of wood erected by the manufacturers of this article, and observes that the blocks ought to be placed in a pyramidal form, coated with clay, and a bole left on the top for con- ducing die smoke, when the wood is set on fire. Thus, it would be unnecessary to describe the proa ss, for those who employ themselves in the preparation of this article. Properties. A surprizing num- ber of pores have, by the micro- scope, been discovered in charcoal. Dr. Hook counted, in the 18th part of an inch, 150, so that in a piece of an inch in diameter, there will be upwards of five millions. To this circumstance must be ascribed the blackness of charcoal, as the rays of light striking on it, are received and absorbed by its pores, instead of being reflected ; consequently, the body of coal ap- p( ars black, — a colour arising from the want of refie< tion. Charcoal may be preserved to an indefinite length of time, and in the ancient tombs of northern nations^ entire pieces are frequently disco- vered, It is, t tng the attention of those, who wish to preserve valuable records from the i'luriv. tpqth of time;" for there yel exists, according to Do- dart, charcoal mad: of corn (pro- bably in the days of C/esae), which is in &o complete a state, thai the wheat may be distinguished from the rye. This substance is not soluble in any of the acids, but may be dis- solved in considerable quantities, by