80 Db. Macvicar on the Atomic Theory. 



lation, we are led to regard as occupying the same volume as a particle 

 of water, which in om- theory is the grand cosmical regulator of the 

 volumes of dense bodies generally. The specific gravity, therefore, 

 must be 



4(H0 + X + 0'° + N + 0H) 4(45 + 70 + 400 + 70 + 45) _ 



AQ " 1690 ~ ^ ^' 



as has been determined by experiment.* This is not the only molecular 

 combination of oxygen and nitrogen which may exist. Thus, in cul- 

 minating towards it, or falling away from it, we may obviously have 

 two atoms of N with one of O, as a medium of union between them, 

 (the same combination as we have supposed to be previously developed 

 in the abyss), in which the want of equatorial matter may be supplied 

 by an atom of O on each of the corresponding faces of this pentagonal 

 form, thus giving N O* N = 2 (N O') which must be an acid under the 

 same circumstances as N 0'" N = 2 (N 0^) is acid. Here, however, 

 as is shown by the latter, the charge of O is not complete. We may 

 therefore have an addition of an atom of to each pole, rendering 

 them rather basic than acid, and givmg O N 0* N O = 2 (N O*) 

 peroxide of nitrogen. 



The Solid Globe. 



In this way, by following out our hypothesis, we also reach eminent 

 species which never escape from the abyss, some of them such as Silica 

 constantly appearing and proving to be what may be called residoary 

 species. And whether the entu'e hypothesis be only a dream, or some- 

 thing more than a dream, it is certainly cui'iously representative of 

 Nature. It is felt, however, that not only would models of molecular 

 Ibrms, such as those that were used when this paper was read, but far 

 more time and illustration than were even then possible, be required to 

 render it generally interesting. 



February Wth, 1857. — The Pbesedent in the Chair. 

 The following gentlemen were elected members : — Mr. John Taylor, 



* In this way it is often possible to deduce the spec. grav. of liquids and solids in our 

 hypothesis, on the supposition that all the volumes of all liquid molecules are similar to 

 one another, or in simple ratios. It often happens, however, that the same aeriform mole- 

 cule may condense with nearly equal facility into a variety of liquid molecules, such that 

 they are complementary to each other, and each supplies, to a certain extent, the defects 

 of tlie others. In this case the calculation becomes more difficult, as for instance, in 

 reference to that nitric acid obtained from all others by boiling them down to it. 



