280 On Super-acid and Sub-acid Salts. 



portion of three to one by Mr. Dalton's tlieorv, I apprehend 

 he might consider the neutral salt as consisting of 



2 particles ])otash with 1 acid. 

 The binpxaUte as 1 and 1, or 'J with 2, 



The quadroxalate as I and 2, or 2 with 4, 



in which ca?es the ratios which T have observed of the acids 

 to each other in these salts would respectively obtain. 



But an explanation, which admits the supposition f)f a 

 double share of potash in the neutral salt, is not altogether 

 satisfactory; and I ani further inclined to think, that when 

 our views are sufficiently extended, to enable us to reason 

 with precision concerning the proportions of elementary 

 atoms, we shall find the arithmetical relation alone will not 

 be sufficient to explain their mutual action, and that we shall 

 be obliged to acquire a geometrical conception of their relative 

 arrangement in all the three dimensions of solid extension. 



For instance, if we suppose the limit to the approach of 

 particles to be the same in all directions, and hence their 

 virtual extent to be spherical (which is the most simple hy- 

 pothesis) ; hi this case, when different sorts combine singly 

 there is but one mode of union. If they unite in the pro- 

 portion of two to one, the two panicles will naturally arrange 

 themselves at opposite poles of that to which they unite. If 

 there \^(i three, they might be arranged with regularity at 

 the angles of an equilateral triangle in a great circle sur- 

 rounding the single spherule ; but in this arrangement, for 

 want of similar matter at the poles of this circle, the equili- 

 brium would be unstable, and would be liable to be deranged 

 by the slightest force of adjacent combinations; but when 

 the nurpber of one set of particles exceeds in the proportion 

 of four to one, then, on the contrary, a stable equilibrium 

 may again take place, if the four particles are situated at 

 the angles of the four equilateral triangles composing a, re- 

 gular tetrahedroii. 



But as this geometrical arrapgcment of the primary ele- 

 ments of matter is altogether conjectural, and must rely for. 

 its confirmation or rejection upon future inquiry, I am de- 

 sirous that it should not be confounded \yith the results of 



thft 



