Ces, ose} Origin of Elementary Substances. 67
——————— ee eT A ——————————"— — ST ————————— -— A —————— rer AE i ir Er —
minus signs of these constants are correlated respe@ively | aggregation of the separate particles, each preserving its
with the interplanetary spaces and the elementary con- distin@ive charaler after the molecule is formed, any
densations. more than rain drops preserve their distin&ive character
5. Each of the atomic weights, after the third in the after falling into the ocean. It appears to me much
groups, is an arithmetical mean of any pair of atomic more in accordance with the truth of nature to suppose
weights at the same distance above and below it; and the hat the smallest conceivable particle of a chemical
distance of each member of the solar system (minus the substance or compound has the same physical properties
constant 4) is a mean proportional of the distancesofany absolutely as the mass. If it be obje@ed that such a
two members, externally and internally to it, from the union of particles would have relations of infinity, as is
central body. ‘herefore inconceivable, it may be answered that the
6. The geometric ratio of the planetary distances from central particles of a rotating” body have mathematica
zach other terminates at the two members nearest the and physical relations of a similar kind, and as the incentral
 body, and approaches to an arithmetical one; and strument of thought is incapable of forming a distin&
a similar departure is also noticeable from the regular conception of the magnitude of the infinitesimals inarithmetical
 series of the atomic weights of the first two volved in a centre of rotation, still less is it capable of
members of the groups, which renders the third less than comprehending the mode of union of the unknowable
an arithmetical mean of the atomic weights of the second :ssences on which the physical qualities of chemical
and fourth members, substances, after combination, depend. Philosophical
While most of the atomic weights in tables II. and III., chemists, I apprehend, will hereafter be able to refer the
excluding fractions, agree with those generally received origin of the theory of the composite structure of matter,
by chemists, the remainder, except Casium=133, do not after chemical union, to the influence of ideas derived
vary more than a unit from the classical numbers. When orincipally from the mechanical mixtures employed in
it is considered that some of these numbers have been oharmacy and in the culinary art.
obtained by doubling the fra&tions of the old atomic In the present hypothesis it is assumed'that a mass of
weights, and that slight differences in the determinations hydrogen, of a curvilinear form, acquired a motion of
may arise from the latent affinity which some elements rotation about a central point, which caused it to take a
have for minute quantities of another, the numbers in the spiral or convoluted form. As each successive spiral or
tables are remarkably near to those determined by ex- convolution was formed the particles of hydrogen comperiment—more
 so, in fact, than is Bode’s law to the bined with themselves as far as the septenary combinaadual
 distances of the planets from the sun. sion to constitute the type of each group of elements—
It will be observed that there are gaps to be occupied the number of types or groups being equal to the number
by two elements in the first group, with atomic weights of convolutions of the rotating gas. According to this
154 and 177, and by their homologues of position in the view, the elementary groups may be represented as forms
second group, with atomic weights 160 and 184, which of Hn, Han, H3n, Hg4n, Hsn, H6n, Hyn; the internal
remain to be discovered. convolutions forming the highest type Yegnyana the outed
3 . el 3 .. convolution the type Hn. at on a further condensai
 pamerical rltion, pubsiting Among he semicon ofthe lementary mater,  transhion fom the Spa
the homologous series in organic chemistry, afford further ° the py es Under eants "e A Iw
evidence in support of the theory that elementary species i o Spee and a the 2 7p of hems ps ae oc
are formed by the Jieone Sengensations ofa pimendja ol tha highest member of each species was ty
substance of small specific gravity and low atomic weight, .
The physical and ion properties of hydrogen, That as fhe Sliumiary vapours pegan o condense or
especially its low atomicity and its exa& multiple re. assume the liquid form their regular stratification would
lations with many elementary substances, long since U8 distuiied by on 8 TDennss vapors Som
suggested to Prout that this element might be the ponder. : :
able base of all the others.* Prout's hypothesis oe not, would be further augmented by the Subsequent Sumbios,
however, made. much progress, as chemical knowledge 127,of he BSE with he positive clement and aise
was not sufficiently advanced in his time to enable the . ; :
intermediate arr be perceived by which elements of pounds ; so that the evidence $e gnch suatification of the
High stomicity Could be bile up from hydrogen and,  (1Smenary sapours as L have indicated, must necssarly.
oat Sin on pias i iy The constant association in nature, however, of several
the same atomic weights. If, however, it be assumed Herjents elongay 10 ihe same got i on
that a particle of hydrogen combines successively with a Gl 4 comsinm Ee a sincle mineral Se ridotite
one, two, three, or more of its own particles, to form the -Uoidium, Aan a his vi { the primiti ? +
molecules H, Ha. H, He He H.. and that each of Appears to confirm this view of the primitive arrangemen
20 223) lay Hg 6 Ty of elementary vapours.
these molecules forms the type of a group of elements In th oO at end are arranged all the known eleonder
 it, the intermediate steps between the low atomic Bn 18 atural groups, wherein gaps appear as in tables
weight of hydrogen and the high atomic weights of other T= 5 4 I. eh Mio the existence of missing
Slesients se feresived, and the difisrent properties of Shit, The atomic weights of other elements which
a approsimatsly equal atomic wells admivof have oo} been sufficiently investigated are also de-Alhonghe
 It Is Jaren assumed thay hydeogen 1s me IF the theory which I have enunciated of the evolution
Pisani bass p7 ull sienna wpedies, ih is pegiiali of elementary substances from hydrogen in definite proey
 i lement ell, se forher maitained By Prout Sonne Cored, the numbers reptesnti he atom
much greater tenuity.+ Further knowledge of the outer a A hi Where a
regions of the solar atmosphere, and of the zodiacal light, gon rou do not roincide exadly, as in the ease of
£5 Dosibly indicate the steps by which hydrogen was Cu=62, and its homologue of position, Zn=64, which
I would also observe that the term “molecule is here 2%¢ sachs unt us Yon oe Sasrier) aan Lk Is wot
used only in the sense of a larger or denser particle of to be supposed : acs A ty pore
matter, and d t imply the idea of a composite Of experiment, but to 30 1 tral pre
eo C08 MOL imply the idea of 2 COMPOSI ents their true atomicity from being ascertained.
3 Annals of Philosophy, vol. vi, 330, 18153 vol. vii, 113, 1818, Although the ideas of chemists on the classification
den ours Chemistry and Meteorology,” 8th Bridgewater Trea- and quantivalence of elements have greatly chanced