XXX SIXTH RKPORT — 183C. 



the minds of men of science to the mode in which comhinations take 

 place, and thus paved a more ready way to the reception of this import- 

 ant doctrine. Even now it may have its advantages in conveying to 

 the mind of a learner a clearer notion of the number and relation of the 

 elements of a compound body one to the other ; and in those which con- 

 sist only of two or three elements a symbolic representation after Dr. 

 Dalton's plan might be nearly as concise as any other. But it would 

 be difficult, consistently with brevity, to express in this manner any of 

 those more complicated combinations that meet us in every stage of 

 modern chemiced inquiry, as for instance in the compounds of Cyano- 

 gen, or in the proximate principles of organic life. 



The second mode of Notation is that, in which the method adopted 

 in Algebra is applied to meet the purposes of Chemistry. This method, 

 whilst it is recommended by its greater perspicuity, and by its being in- 

 telligible to all educated persons, has the advantage also of involving 

 no hypothesis, and being equally available by individuals who may have 

 taken up the most opposite views of the collocation of the several atoms, 

 or who dismiss the question as altogether foreign to their consideration. 

 Tliis, therefore, may be compared to the alphabetical mode of writing 

 in use amongst civilized nations ; the characters indeed may differ, the 

 words formed by a combination of these characters may be very various, 

 but the principles on which they are put together to express certain 

 sounds and ideas are in all countries the same. 



The third method of Notation, which has been recommenced by the 

 authority of several great Continental chemists, and especially of Berze- 

 lius, resembles rather a system of short-hand than one of ordinary writing ; 

 its express object being to abbreviate, so far as is consistent with per- 

 spicuity, the mode of Notation last described. But although most che- 

 mists may find it convenient to employ some of these abbreviated forms 

 of expression, it seems doubtful whether any particular amount of them 

 can be recommended for general adoption, since the necessity for it will 

 vary according to the habits of the individual, the nature of his inqui- 

 ries, and the objects for which his notes are designed. 



A chemist, for example, the character of whose mind enables him 

 quickly to perceive, and clearly to recollect minute distinctions, may 

 find a much more abbreviated style of notation convenient, than would 

 be at all advisable to others ; one who is engaged in the analysis of or- 

 ganic compounds will be more sensible of the utility of such symbols, 

 than another who is conversant chiefly with a less complicated class of 

 combinations ; and one who notes down the results of his experiments 

 for the benefit of private reference, and not with any immediate view to 



