HISTOfiY OF THE ATOMIC THEOBY. 123 



says, " the first principle that can be admitted for the com- 

 position of mixts is an universal spirit, which being diffused 

 through all the world produces different things according 

 to the different matrixes or pores of the earth in which it 

 settles. But, because this principle is a little metaphysical, 

 and falls not under our senses, it will be fit to establish some 

 sensible ones." * 



Here, again, is a notion that matter is one, but with an 

 addition that the different properties of its parts are caused by 

 abstract qualities; here there is nothing said either of particles 

 or transformations. It would seem as if matter existed in 

 some condition as one, and received qualities from a spirit 

 which had the power of giving various qualities. We see 

 no variety of agents, but one agent; so that a will and design 

 are constantly required to be present. 



This is manifestly a backward step from Boyle, who was 

 not well followed up in his own direction. 



Mayow, of Oxford, wrote in 1673 definite opinions as to 

 the combination of acid and alkali, shewing that sulphuric 

 acid separated nitric from saltpetre, and formed vitriolated 

 tartar, or sulphate of potash, that therefore the nitric acid was 

 not destroyed when it united with potash, seeing that it could 

 be separated again by the sulphuric acid. Although we can- 

 not separate the sulphuric acid from the potash, "it is not 

 because these salts have mutually destroyed each other, but 

 because there is nothing in nature which unites with each 

 more firmly than they do among themselves."! He also 

 clearly shews that alkalies throw down metals from their 

 solutions. 



" These important observations of Mayow were continued 

 still further by Geoffroy Senior. He considered the order in 



• Page 2. Lemery's Cour»e of Chymistry. Translated by Walter Harris, 

 M.D. London, 16S6. 



t Tractatui quinque Medico Physici, 1674. Chapter, " De salium contra- 

 riomm congrettu et precipitatione." 



