Mr. ELLIS, ON THE THEORY OF MATTER. 60.5 



material universe is altogctlicr illusory. For matter may act on matter in a manner wholly 

 distinct from force, and yet this kind of action shall, ultimately and indirectly, manifest itself 

 in modifications of local motion. Furthermore, if for an instant we call this kind of action 

 (force)-, we shall at once be led to recognise a hypothetically possible mode of action of matter on 

 matter which in accordance with analogy we shall call (force) ^, which consists in the power of 

 modifying (force)*. And so on, sine limite. 



10. If we compare the language in which the relation between mechanical force and chemical 

 affinity is commonly spoken of, we shall I think perceive its analogy with that which I have used 

 in describing the mode of action which we have called (fnrce)^. Its chemical affinity is spoken 

 of as something which suspends or modifies the action of force, as something distinct from it, but 

 which yet interferes with its effects. Or again, if in physiological writings we observe the manner 

 in which vital action* is described we recognise, or stem at least to do so, the possibility of referring 

 its effects to that mode of action which we have called (force)'. I do not however wisli to lav 

 much stress on these similarities, because I think the kind of reasoning we have pursued shows 

 more satisfactorily than they can do, that if chemical affinity and vital action are not resoluble into 

 force, they must be referred to some of the modes of action we have pointed out. 



It would be useless to remark on the many points of speculation which here present themselves. 

 The expansion of bodies by heat may however be particularly mentioned, because notwithstanding 

 what has been learnt with relation to the theory of heat, nothing like a mechanical explanation 

 of this phenomenon has as yet been discovered. It seems to depend not on the introduction of new 

 mechanical forces, but on a modification of those which already exist ; such modification, in cases 



of ordinary conduction, being propagated from one part of the body to that which is next it 



It is easy to conceive that by an alteration in the function which expresses the mutual action of 

 the molecules, the body may pas.s into a new state of equilibrium in which the average distance 

 between adjacent molecules may be increased or diminished. If such an explanation could be 

 established, we should have a case of the action of (force)-. 



11. In conclusion, it may be well to remark that mathematical analysis is conceivably as 

 applicable to these new modes of action of matter on matter as to ordinary questions in dynamics. 

 It is, however, easily seen that as in these we deal chiefly with differential equations of the second 

 order, and in merely cinematical questions with equations of the first only, so contrariwise when \\c 

 introduce higher powers of force (so to call them) we shall correspondingly have to do with equa- 

 tions of higher orders. I venture to predict with a degree of confidence, which doubtless I shall 

 not communicate to many, that if we ever succeed in estalilishing a mathematical theory of chemistry, 

 it will be as much conversant with equations of liie third or of a higher order, as physical astro- 

 nomy is with equations of the second. 



R L. ELLIS. 



May 1, 1848. 



• 1 am, of countc, not to be undcrntood ai» Hiif{gctitinK u matcriulintic cx]iiainiii<in of plienonicnit of iliouj,'li( or volition. 

 Vol,. VIII. P.MIT V. 4 I 



