On the Divisibility of Matter. 307 



200,000,000,000, which, though approaching to almost infinite 

 divisibility (at least, according to our limited ideas,) yet we 

 must all feel to be mathemically true ; and even these instances 

 appear to fall far short of the extent to which the operations of 

 nature carry the actual divisibility of matter, as exhibited more 

 particularly in the minute particles of odoriferous bodies, con- 

 stantly filling surrounding spaces to a considerable distance, 

 without any perceptible diminution ; and perhaps still more so, 

 in the wonderful formation of the animal kingdom, as more 

 peculiarly displayed in the minute (in many instances, invisible,) 

 insect tribe, each of which possessing attributes of the larger 

 animals, as muscles, circulation of the blood, S)C., must very 

 far surpass any ideas which the human mind can form on the 

 subject ; and yet it is possible, that even these may be still 

 further surpassed by the divisibility of the particles of light. 

 Let us take the well-known effect of a lighted candle, which 

 may be seen at the distance of two miles, and probably further ; 

 in this instance, light is diffused almost instantaneously, and 

 that without any sensible diminution of weight, throughout a 

 circle, whose diameter is four miles ; or rather, supposing the 

 light placed upon a plane, it will extend or diffuse light 

 throughout a hemisphere of that dimension, whose centre is 

 the flame of the candle. During the process of combustion, 

 the light, according to Richters Theory, proceeds from the 

 combustible body ; however this may be, it should appear 

 evident that, in the production of light (from a candle, for 

 instance,) a certain quantity of matter, either combined or 

 uncombined, is diffused through a given space in a given time. 

 Let it be allowed, that a candle, weighing four ounces, will 

 burn, or diffuse light, for six hours ; and that, during that 

 period, it fills unceasingly a hemisphere, whose radius is two 

 miles, or 126,720 inches, containing by computation, if I am 

 correct, 4,261,820,184,605,491-^5 square inches. Now each 

 square inch was found capable of being divided into 40,000 

 visible parts; consequently, the hemisphere contains 170,472, 



