In the preceding chapter we have endeavoured to show, that the minutest fragment of homogeneous matter cognizable by our senses, is composed of innumerable molecules; all of which are exactly alike in size, in shape, in properties, in short, of every kind; and we argued that these facts incontestibly prove, that the molecules of matter could not always have existed in their present form; nor have been formed by chance; but that they must have had a beginning; and have been the work of a Creator. Now when we consider the prodigious quantity of matter composing our globe, (to go no further,) or even composing a portion of it, as for instance, the mass of water existing in the ocean; and reflect that every individual molecule of this water possesses properties, exactly like those of the drop we formerly contemplated; our argument, already sufficiently convincing, actually overwhelms us with its force. Still however it admits of further corroboration; and we proceed now to show, that all this vast assemblage of molecules, so numerous, so diversified, so extraordinary as they are, may be reduced to a very few elementary groups; upon the endless combinations and separations of which, all the phenomena of chemistry depend.

SECTION I

Of Chemical Elementary Principles.

The substances at present considered as elementary, amount to about fifty-four. Of these, several possess certain properties in common; though they all differ from one another in subordinate particulars; or in other words, are specifically different.