OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 223 



long been known to chemists, and seven years since sus- 

 picions were entertained that its characters had been imper- 

 fectly observed, and that it might prove a malleable metal. 

 These suspicions have been more than confirmed, and a metal 

 of high value has been given to the arts. 



The importance of the labors of M. Deville is more appar- 

 ent when considered in connection with general chemistry. 

 Aluminium, before his researches were commenced, was known 

 to us as a spongy, gray metal, which in a heated state attracted 

 oxygen and returned to its earthy condition. Certain charac- 

 ters made up its description, and these presented little attrac- 

 tion, as they promised no useful application. So soon as the 

 genius of Deville enabled him to throw the clear light of ex- 

 perimental results on this subject, chemists saw that he had 

 not only rendered more sure what was known, but had 

 created as it were a neio assemblage of char'acters to be in- 

 cluded under the term alummium. Nor was this all ; he has 

 added another to the class of bodies represented by carbon, 

 which, in different physical states, possess distinct chemical 

 relations. 



The consideration of this relation of physical state, or con- 

 dition, to chemical action, as a study, has been much ad- 

 vanced by the discoveries of M. Deville ; and so beautiful is 

 the illustration, that the field of research thus newly opened 

 through his means is attracting, and will continue to engage, 

 the highest efforts of the best-disciplined minds in its enlarge- 

 ment. 



In reply to the question of price, as affecting economical 

 application. Dr. Hayes remarked that it was unsafe to limit 

 the diminution of price in a chemical product, especially 

 where the material of manufacture is abundant. The first 

 iodine he used cost at the rate of forty dollars per ounce ; it 

 has been as low as seventeen cents for the same quantity, and 

 yet the sources are by no means common. Phosphorus was 

 in common use at sixteen dollars per pound, and when the 

 price declined to eight dollars, stocks were secured in ex- 



