Usually compound bodies, made up of an ulterior
series of constituent molecules, i. e. molecules of
the first substances obtained by chemical analysis
; and these in many cases are also compound
bodies, made up of the elementary molecules, or
final indivisible atoms,* of which the ultimate
particles of matter are probably composed.t
étude superficielle des cristaux n’y laissait voir que des singularités
de la nature, une étude approfondie nous conduit à cette
conséquence que le même Dieu dont la puissance et la sagesse
ont soumis la course des astres à des lois qui ne se démentent
jamais, en a aussi établi auxquelles ont obéi avec la même fidélité
les molécules qui se sont réunies pour donner naissance aux
corps cachés dans les retraites du globe que nous habitons.
Haüy. Tableau comparatif des Résultats de la Cristallographie
et de l’Analyse Chimique. P. xvii.
* “ We seem to be justified in concluding, that a limit is to be
assigned to the divisibility of matter, and consequently that we
must suppose the existence of certain ultimate particles, stamped,
as Newton conjectured, in the beginning of time by the hands of
the Almighty with permanent characters, and retaining the exact
size and figure, no less than the other more subtle qualities and relations
which were given to them at the first moment of their creation.
“ The particles of the several substances existing in nature may
thus deserve to be regarded as the alphabet, composing the great
volume which records the wisdom and goodness of the Creator.”
Daubeny’s Atomic Theory, p. 107.
t We may once for all illustrate the combinations of exact and
methodical arrangements under which the ordinary crystalline
forms of minerals have been produced, by the phenomena of a
single species ; viz. the well-known substance of Carbonate of
Lime.
We have more than five hundred varieties of secondary forms
presented by the crystals of this abundant earthy mineral. In
each of these we trace a five-fold series of subordinate relations
%
When we have in this manner traced back all
kinds of mineral bodies, to the first and most
simple condition of their component Elements,
we find these Elements to have been at all times
regulated by the self-same system of fixed and
universal laws, which still maintains the mechanism
of the material world. In the operation
of these laws we recognize such direct and constant
subserviency of means to ends, so much of
harmony, and order, and methodical arrangement,
in the physical properties and proportional quantities,
and chemical functions of the inorganic
of one system of combinations to another system, under which
every individual crystal has been adjusted by laws, acting cor-
relatively to produce harmonious results.
Every crystal of Carbonate of Lime is made up of millions of
particles of the same compound substance, having one invariable
primary form, viz. that of a rhomboidal solid, which may be
obtained to an indefinite extent by mechanical division.
The integrant molecules of these rhomboidal solids form the
smallest particles to which the Limestone can be reduced without
chemical decomposition.
The first result of chemical analysis divides these integrant
molecules of Carbonate of Lime into two compound substances,
namely, Quick Lime and Carbonic Acid, each of which is made
up of an incalculable number of constituent molecules.
A further analysis of these constituent molecules shews that
they also are compound bodies, each made up of two elementary
substances, viz. the Lime made up of elementary molecules of
the metal Calcium, and Oxygen; and the Carbonic Acid, of
elementary molecules of Carbon and Oxygen.
These ultimate molecules of Calcium Carbon, and Oxygen,
form the final indivisible atoms into which every secondary crystal
of Carbonate of Lime can be resolved.
G. P P