Mathematics to Chemistry, 287 



In attending a little to the preceding table, we observe 

 that there are combinations of 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13 and 14 

 atoms or volumes, occupying exactly the space or volume 

 originally occupied by one of them : this theory shows how 

 this can be, but it will not be pretended that any other 

 theory can show the manner of the composition ; so many 

 solids cannot possess the space of one of them. The cir- 

 cumstances are still more remarkable in double groups : in 

 etherine 15 volumes make exactly two ; in alcohol 9 

 volumes make two ; in camphene 13 volumes, and in 

 paranaphthaline 27 volumes make exactly two; and in 

 these apparently complex cases, there is the same sim- 

 plicity of composition as in that of water ; this is seen in 

 fig. 5 which represents water, and in fig. 6 which repre- 

 sents ether. Thomas Exley. 



Bristol, September 7th, 1836. 



It may be added, that this theory was not formed in re- 

 ference to chemistry, or other science, but electricity. It 

 occured to the author while attempting to explain electrical 

 phenomena ; and it was not till he applied it with success 

 to explain electrical attraction and repulsion, that he de- 

 termined to publish any thing on the subject. He soon 

 found that these principles were sufficient to solve all the 

 phenomena he could collect relating to common electricity. 

 Those of galvanism yielded with the same facility when relat- 

 ing to the excitation, the current, the quantity, the intensity, 

 the decomposition of bodies, or the transfer of elements, &c. 

 In magnetism he scarcely expected to overcome the diffi- 

 culties of the subject ; his only hope was, that he knew his 

 principles were correct; and he soon ascertained, that 

 every phenomenon in magnetism, whether relating to that 

 of the earth, the motion of its poles, &;c., or to that of 

 magnetic bodies, communication of magnetism, &c. yielded 

 to the influence of his two simple principles, which, also, 

 with great facility applied equally to the phenomena of 

 electro-magnetism . 



When he published his first treatise, or " New Theory 

 of Physics," he had scarcely turned his attention to the 

 modern discoveries in optics, such as polarization, &c.; and, 

 of course, could not see the application to these subjects. 



