The Elements of Radiant and Fixed Matter. 145 
position, and as no homogeneous body can consistently exhibit 
such diversity in its atomical arrangement, the assumption of 
such forms by the metals is one of the many presumptive evi- 
dences in support of their compound nature. 
As all bodies, whether of the animal, vegetable, or mineral 
kingdom, (as here presumed) are compounds, formed of nearly 
the same constituents, their peculiar properties and qualities are 
not to be considered as innate, but are to be attributed, in ad- 
dition to variation in proportion, to a modification in arrange- 
ment, inducing a polar influence by which their passage to other 
stages of fixity is facilitated or impeded, and they are rendered 
applicable to appropriate changes. 
Thus matter is deleterious alone from an arrangement con- 
trary to that consistent with animal organization, and not from 
qualities or properties peculiar to its constituents. 
The order of polarity observed in the transition of matter from 
a fixed to a radiant state, is absolute and invariable, while that 
of its reversion from the latter to the fofner by combination with 
bodies of fixed matter is subject toa diversity governed by the na- 
ture of those bodies, which are endowed with certain proportionate 
degrees of fixation, or resistance to resolution, as their poles alone, 
appropriate to connection in the radiant state, are more or less 
protected from the influence of caloric in producing a separation 
of their elements, 
As the simple gases, when treated separately and isolated, are 
individually incapable of combustion; and the only one of them 
denominated inflammable, extinguishes ignited bodies when 
plunged into it, and in combination with another gas termed a 
direct supporter of combustion, forms water, a body the most 
opposite in its nature to those which possess inflammability, while 
azote, the only substance described in chemistry as a simple incom- 
bustible with a slight acquisition of other matter, produces the 
mostsplendid ignition; the humble individual »who with the greatest 
deference is about to submit the direct and presumptive evidences 
he has collected from experiments in support of this hypothesis, 
entertains the most sanguine hope to induce a liberal investi 
gation, and thereby to elicit from the more able and efficient ef- 
forts of the eminent philosophers who are the ornament of the 
present enlightened age, the truth, of which he is in search, 
either by the complete confutation, the appropriate modification, 
or the ultimate establishment of the premises here set forth. 
‘This little work contains, prefixed as a necessary appendage, 
a condensed review of the opinions of the most celebrated for 
science, in the earlier and present times, who have expressed 
their sentiments on the subject ; and refers, with due acknow- 
. ledgements, to the accurate experiments of many authors of the 
Vol. 53, No, 250. Feb. 1819, K highest 
