CAR′BON

C. Syn. Carbo′nium , Car′bo , L.; Charbon , Fr.; Kohlenstoff , Ger. An elementary or simple non-metallic solid body, very widely diffused through nature. Its purest and rarest form is that of the diamond. Nearly pure, it occurs very abundantly in the forms of graphite and anthracite. In combination with oxygen, as carbonic acid, it exists in the atmosphere and in the waters of most springs, also in limestone, marble, chalk, and dolomite. Combined with hydrogen, it enters largely into coal, peat, and lignite. It is an e ential constituent of organic matter, and hence it has been termed the “organic element.” Charcoal, lamp-black, and coke, are more or le pure forms of carbon. By strongly igniting lamp-black in a covered crucible the element is obtained sufficiently pure for most chemical purposes. It is best obtained purest by burning a jet of pure olefiant gas in an atmosphere of pure chloride, collecting the amorphous carbon deposited, and igniting in vacuo at a red heat. Forms several chlorides, sulphides, ., of which the following are the chief:—