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AM'MONY

, [The real origin of this word is not ascertained. Some authors suppose it to be from Ammon, a title of Jupiter, near whose temple in upper Egypt, it was generated. Others suppose it to be from Ammonia, a Cyrenaic territory; and others deduce it from sand, as it was found in sandy ground. anglicized, this forms an elegant word, ammony.]

Volatile alkali; a substance, which, in its purest form, exists in a state of gas. It is composed of hydrogen and nitrogen. Combined with the muriatic acid, it forms the muriate of ammonia, called also sal ammoniac and hydro-chlorate of ammonia. Native muriate of ammony is found in Egypt, where it is said to be generated in large inns and caravanseras, from the excrements of camels and other beasts. It occurs also massive and crystallized in the vicinity of volcanoes. Ammony, popularly called hartshorn, is extremely pungent and acrid, but when diluted, is an agreeable stimulant. it extinguishes flame, and is fatal to animal life. It combines with acids, and produces a class of salts, which, with few exceptions, are soluble in water.