Mr. Farey’s Notes on Mr. Bakewell's Geology. 19 
clearly appear that the doctrine of Messrs. Higgins and Dalton 
with regard to atoms is truly hypothetical, and cannot with 
propriety be at present admitted : objections to this theory have 
also been pointed out by Dr. Bostock in Nicholson’s Journal. 
The views 1 am most inclined to adopt are those of Sir H. Davy, 
as in these we are guided by the result of experiment and fact. 
The more accurately our researches are made, the more forcibly 
is the doctrine of definite proportions demonstrated. ‘The re- 
searches of Mr. J. Davy on the combinations of different metals 
and chlorine, published in the Philosophical Transactions for 1812, 
and the late interesting publication of Berzelius, sufficiently prove 
the truth of what is above stated: although not standing the 
test of a rigorous mathematical examiination, they are sufficiently 
near, considering that chemical analysis is still imperfect, to poit 
out this grand law. Objections may undoubtedly still be urged 
against it, and that of solution has been considered by some as 
the most forcible; since, in this, bodies within certain limits appear 
to unite in any proportion. But surely there is some difference 
between dissolution and combination: in the former we find 
merely the cohesion of the compound aggregates amongst each 
other disunited, and the particles of the compound diffused 
throughout the fluid: in the latter, a decomposition takes place 
amongst the elements of which a compound is formed, it assumes 
entirely new properties ; and it is here we are to look for the de- 
terminate action of affinity. If it were not guided by such a 
law, our results would always be showing different productions, 
and compounds consisting of the some proportion of elements 
would scarcely ever be obtained. 
eee nn 
XXV. Notes and Olservations on the remaining part of the 
Seventh Chapter of Mr. RopERT BAKEWELL’S “* Introduction 
to Geology ;”—embracing incidentally, several new Points 
‘of Geological Investigation and Theory. By Mr. Joun 
Farey Sen., Mineral Surveyor. 
[Continued from p. $4.] 
Notes, &c. 
P: 182, 1. 6, from the oceant.—t The great south-eastern De- 
nudation of England §], probably includes the Basin of Paris 
in its upper eastern edge, P. M. xxxv. p. 130 and 134, notes; 
but 
g The acknowledgement of this characteristic phenomenon of the counties 
of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, and the eastern part of Hampshire (the first De- 
nedated tract that was well ascertained probably) seems with difficulty or 
reluctance made, by the Wernerian School: a learned Doctor, when lately 
Il 4) reviewing 
