FLUORINE

n. Flu2'or-en. Lat.. fluorinum (from fluor, a flowing), Quorum. Fr., fluore. Ger.. Fluor. A non-metallic element which has never been perfectly isolated, but is conjectured to be a colorle gas. It occurs in nature in composition in the form of fluor-spar and other minerals, and in minute quantities in the bones, blood, brain, and enamel of the teeth. It was formerly supposed to occur in the free state in the fluor-spar of AYc'iscndori'. but this is now known to be untrue. F. combines with hydrogen to form hydrofluoric acid, and unites directly with many other dements to form a series of compounds called fluorides. In composition it is univalent, replacing one atom of hydrogen. Atomic weight, 19-1; symbol, F. Its existence was first demonstrated by Ampere in 1810. [B, 3, 270: J. Lucas. "Laneet," May 2-,'. i r,: N. Y. Med. Jour..'* June 12, 1886, p. 678; "Proc. of the Am. Plmnn. A oc.," xxx (a, 14).] I II oui' It (Ger), [s. 80]