4 1 4 Oil the Origin of the Atomic Theory. 



acid unites to one atom of oxide ; the second atom of acid will 

 attach itself to another atom of oxide, so as to form two distinct 

 molecules: — how is the other atom to be disposed of? It cannot 

 divide itself between the two molecules : therefore there must be 

 an error in the analysis or in the calculation, or perhaps in both. 

 An atom of acid can no more unite to two atoms of its base, 

 than a particle of oxygen can unite to two particles of azote, or 

 to two particles of hydrogen, although an atom of the base may 

 unite to two atoms of acul. 



But to return to the history. " After the preceding historical 

 sketch," continues the Doctor, " which we thought necessary in 

 order to do jii-<tice to alL parties concerned in this important 

 branch of chemistry, we shall proceed to lay the Atomic Theory 

 with the proofs in support of it before our readers*." The 

 Doctor then proceeds to give the outlines of the Atomic Theory; 

 in which it is needless to follow him, for it is a reiteration of my 

 own doctiine, tlie outlines of which 1 have given above. 



The Doctor concludes his article by giving tables, 



1. Of the weight of the ultimate divisions of elementary 

 bodies. 



2. Of atoms, and the number of ultimate particles they con- 

 tain. 



3. Of molecules of three elements, such as those of the vege- 

 table acids. This is taken from the analvses of Berzelius. Next 

 come the hydrates, and after them the whole tril)e of saline bodies, 

 all weighed, and the number of tiieir elementarv particles ascer- 

 tained. His estimate is taken from the analvses of different 

 chemists, but principally from those of Gay Lussac, Thenard, 

 and Berzelius. Thus the Doctor has weighed aimost all the 

 different kinds of ultimate particles, atoms and molecules, which 

 the surface of the globe affords. Wliat is to become of Dalton, 

 for he has not left him a single atom ? It was very unkind to 

 take from a man what he discovered himself; and if Dalton had 

 not given them ready made to the Doctor, how could he weigh 

 them ? 



I felt the importance of the Atomic Theory in my investigation 

 of the contending doctrines already alluded to, and it was on 

 that occasion that necessity gave it birth in my mintl. 



Berzelius availed himself of the lights this doctrine afforded, 

 in his analyses of saline substances and vegetable materials; yet 

 he never claimed any part of the doctrine as his own. 



Mr. Dalton, in his work, claims the whole of it in the iden- 



* The reader, no douht, with a moderate shriie of chemical knovvh.'di;e, 

 will be iihle to judye, from the short sketcli which I iiave given, of die kind 

 of justice he lias done " lu all persons concerned." 



tical 



