CHALK (Creta) is a white earth found plentifully in Britain, France, Norway, and other parts of Europe, said to have been anciently dug chiefly in the island of Crete, which thence received its name of Creta. Chalk readily imbibes water; and hence masses of it are employed for drying precipitates, lakes, earthy powders that have been levigated with water, and other moist preparations. Its economical uses in cleaning and polishing metalline or glass utensils are well known. In this case it is powdered and washed from any gritty matter it may contain, and is then called whiting.