200 MEMOIR OF DR. DALTON, AND 



by odd numbers, the succeeding four increase in the ordinary 

 way by one, and so alternately ; for example. 



" These quantities accordingly proceed in arithmetical pro- 

 gression down to the most insignificant fractions, as we may 

 see by a glance at them. 



" The quantities in which the alkaline earths enter into 

 neutrality with muriatic acid are terms of an endless series, 

 which increase by the product of a determinate quantity 

 with the consecutive odd numbers. The same thing occurs 

 with the alkaline earths in relation to sulphuric acid, only 

 that in this case a quantity must be taken from the terms of 

 the last series, the first three excepted; this quantity in- 

 creasing also in progression, 



§ XXVI. 



" A. After finding out the law by which the quantities of 

 the alkaline earths increase towards the two acids (sulphuric 

 and muriatic), it becomes necessary to form the series them- 

 selves, that we may see clearly the correctness of the propo- 

 sition advanced as a hypothesis ; for if it is done rightly the 

 proposition ceases to be a hypothesis. We shall designate the 

 terms that are wanting in both series by a star, and the 



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