"The Earths are white, inodorous, tasteless, and uninflammable substances—non-conductors of electricity, insoluble in water, but soluble in one or more of the acids. Sp. gr. compared to that of water, not exceeding five to one. They are six in number; viz. silica, alumine, , gluttine, augustine, ytria; the consideration of which falls under their alphabetical order."