1818.] respecting the Specific Gravity of Crystals. 129 



to specific gravities, they constantly make use of the term 

 bulk. 



At my time of life, it will never answer to enter into nice 

 metaphysical distinctions between bulk and surface. To all 

 practical purposes they are the same. If the bulk increases, 

 the surface increases, and, e co?werso, if the surface increases, 

 so must the bulk. Nor can 1 for the soul of me ever under- 

 stand what these elder mathematicians mean, by solids of 

 greatest bulk under least superficies. These are subtilties with 

 which I will not bewilder my brain. It is quite clear, that if in 

 their deductions they have omitted so essential a consideration 

 as surface, the doctrines of refraction, gravitation, and all sub- 

 jects connected with density, must undergo a complete revision, 

 ft has always been a maxim with me never to suffer authority, 

 in matters of philosophy, to weigh a feather in the scale against 

 my own opinion, though I acknowledge it to be a feather in one's 

 cap when ranged as an auxiliary. 



It is a very curious fact, and proves upon what a frail founda- 

 tion the bubble reputation rests, that Archimedes, when he dis- 

 covered the imposition in King Hiero's crown, seems to have 

 been totally ignorant of Mr. Daniell's principle, that specific 

 gravity depends upon surface ; and yet, by an accidental coin- 

 cidence, as lucky for him as it w r as strange, he has actually 

 blundered himself into immortality. But, Sir, I have done ; I 

 have stated to you my difficulties freely and candidly, and any 

 notice you may please to take of my request, will confer an obli- 

 gation on your obliged, and obedient humble servant, 



Jan. 12, 1818. PATRICK ADDLE. 



Article XII. 



Some Remarks upon Mr. Daniell's Experiments on the Specific 

 Gravity of Crystals. By J. L. 



(To the Editors of the Annals of Philosophy.) 



GENTLEMEN 1 , 



In the Journal of Science and the Arts,* two elaborate essays 

 have lately appeared by Mr. Daniell, on the spherical form of 

 the particles of crystals, in which, after employing many learned 

 arguments in favour of his opinion, he concludes by relating a 

 series of experiments that he performed on the subject, which, 

 he conceives, are of such a nature as absolutely to decide the 



?|uestion. The results of the experiments being all completely 

 avourable to Mr. Daniell's doctrine, he considers himself at? 



• I. 24, and IV. 30. 

 Vol. XI. N° II. I 



