168 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



of the intermediate body being composed of the extremes of the series 

 and transmutable changes thus hoped for. Prof. Dumas then showed 

 that in the metals similar properties are found to those of non-metallic 

 bodies ; alluding to the possibility that metals that were similar in 

 their relations, and which may be substituted one for the other in cer- 

 tain compounds, might also be found transmutable, the one into the 

 other. Ife then took up the inorganic bodies, where substitutions took 

 place, which, he stated, much resembled the metals. After discussing 

 groups in Triads, Prof. Dumas alluded to the ideas of the ancients, of 

 the transmutations of metals, and their desire to change lead into sil- 

 ver, and mercury into gold ; but these metals do not appear to have the 

 requisite similar relations to render those changes possible. He next 

 passed to the changes of other bodies such as the transmutation of 

 diamonds into black lead, under the voltaic arc. After elaborate 

 reasoning, and offering many analogies from the stores of chemical 

 analysis, Prof. Dumas expressed the idea that the law of the substitu- 

 tion of one body for another in groups of compounds might lead to the 

 transformation of one group into another at will ; and we should en- 

 deavor to devise means to divide the molecules of one body of one of 

 these groups into two parts, and also of a third body, and then unite 

 them, and probably the intermediate body might be the result. In 

 this way, if bodies, of similar properties and often associated together, 

 were transmutable one into the other, then, by changes, portions of one 

 might often, if not always, be associated with the other. Thus, in 

 nature, where chlorine occurred, iodine and bromine might also be found, 

 and always would be if they were transmutable the one into the other. 

 Cobalt is thus mysteriously associated with nickel, iron with manga- 

 nese, sulphur with selenium, &c. In the arts, during operations, when 

 certain radicles were produced, analogous ones were found constantly 

 to be associated. In the distillation of brandy, oil of wine is always 

 an 'associated result. Dr. Faraday expressed his hope that Prof. 

 Dumas was setting chemists in the right path ; and, although conver- 

 sationally acquainted with the subject, yet he had been by no means 

 prepared for the multitude of analogies pointed out. Mr. Grove spoke 

 of the importance of the views ; as, by knowing the extreme compounds, 

 it might serve as a guide in experiments, and as a check to the results. 

 He adverted to the allo tropic condition of substances when their prin- 

 cipal characters were changed, but their chemical qualities were 

 unaltered ; thus, carbon in the state of diamond had a change of prop- 

 erty so complete that it had one of the properties of metals given or 

 transferred to it by its conducting power for electricity under these 

 conditions, and its other forms were states resistant to electric passage. 

 He thought this fact, of certain bodies having two sets of physical 

 properties, with greatly differing character, might, with this law of 

 the substitution of one set of chemical qualities for another in a com- 

 pound group, give the hope of the great realization of some of the ideas 

 embodied in the views of the possible transformation of one body, at 

 will, so as to possess the properties of all others. 



