HI8T0BY OF THE ATOMIC THEORY. 



179 



tween S and d is greater by 2-8 ths, than that between the 

 constituent principles of water, which is but 6 5-8th8. 

 As the attraction of bodies 

 is mutual, let us suppose S 

 to possess one-half of this 

 force, which is 3 7-l6ths, 

 and this to be its utmost 

 exertion, and likewise d to possess the other half, which 

 is 3 7-l6ths more, which will unite them with the above- 

 mentioned force. Let us suppose another particle of dephlo- 

 gisticjited air D to have a tendency to unite to S, with 

 the force of 3 7- 16 ths, in order to form perfect vitriolic 

 acid ; to receive D, S must relax its attraction for d one- 

 half. That is, the force of 3 7-l6ths will be divided and 

 directed in two diflferent points, which will reduce the attach- 

 ment of dephlogibticated air and sulphur in perfect vitriolic 

 acid to 5 l-18th." 



Page 66. " When vitriolic acid, whether diluted or not, is 

 mixed with oil, an ultimate particle of vitriolic acid influences 

 with a certain force an ultimate particle of oil, while the 

 latter attracts the vitriolic ^ 



acid with the same force. 

 The oil will not take D d 

 from S ; but from the joint 



attraction of S D d 



to oil, they will approach 

 with equal pace, and combine. Thus this mixture more than 

 mechanically, but not quite chemically united, may be resolved 

 into the different fluids mentioned above. The particle of oil 

 will retain D or rf, and form fixable air ; at the same time 

 that S will retain rf or D with its full force, and form volatile 

 vitriolic acid." 



Page 132. ** In my opinion the purest nitrous acid contains 

 5 of dephlogisticated to I of phlogisticated air. Nitrous air, 

 according to Kirwan, contains 2 of dephlogisticated 4o 1 of 



