OBJECTIONS TO THE MODERN CHEMICAL THEORY. \J\ 



If this position can be proved, the Lavoisierian theory will 

 lose its fundamental support, and the whole superstructure 

 falls to the ground. 



Tt is asserted, that the phenomena of galvanism, like Phenomena of 

 electricity, are owing to the presence or absence of one and J^-Tb^ine* 

 the same fluid, which constitute the positive and negative fluid, 

 sjdes. 



If two bodies, acting upon a third produce different effects, This contra- 

 the bodies themselves must be different. dicted b ? factB * 



A different power is conducted into the water by the two 

 ends of the galvanic battery ; for, as the two pieces of ola- 

 tina remain unaltered, the effect on the water in the ga^-anic 

 experiment must be produced by two different powers, to 

 which the pieces of platina merely act as conductors. The 

 simple fact is then, that the one platina wire produces, when 

 placed in water, one particular air; and the other platina 

 wire, placed under similar circumstances, a different one: 

 the two powers therefore, conducted by the platina wires, 

 must be different. 



Bodies in assuming an aeriform state require the union of The same sub- 

 different other bodies to constitute those characters which * 1 *^ ; C n ° t "" dif . 

 distinguish them ; therefore these two different airs must ferent gasses, 

 have received from the two platina wires two different powers, 5ftj add ^ tio11 

 to enable them, since water is concerned in the production substances. 

 ©f both, to assume two different aeriform states. The two 

 airs, so formed, have certainly distinguishing characters ; for 

 the one supports combustion, and the other is a combustible 

 budy. 



Water then is by the union of these two galvanic powers Fire a corn- 

 transformed into two aeriform bodies, in which reside all the j^olralvanic* 

 requisite circumstances of inflammation and combustion, powers. 

 Upon this combustion water is reproduced, and the two ai- 

 vanic powers form tire; fire therefore is composed of the two 

 galvanic powers. 



Water then and one power of the pile produces oxigcn Water with 



air; and water and the other power, l»idrogen air : and com- °. neof these 

 ' . r » ft forms oxigen, 



bustion is always produced by the union of these two powers, -with the other 

 The positive end of the galvanic battery then we assert, pro- hldr °g en - 

 duces in every, instance that effect on bodies which oxigen is 

 asserted to do ; and is not the basis or ponderable part of the 



air, 



