1826.1 •" ^''- Turner on the Atomic Theory. 389 



difference. The weights of the two elements of a compound 

 have no apparent dependence on one another. Ihus caibon 

 and 8 oxygen form carbonic oxide; 8 oxygen and 14 nitrogen 

 form n^troL oxide; 8 is no multiple by any whole number of 6 

 nor 14 of 8. But the elements of a compound are always uni ed 

 Ev volume in the ratio of 1 to 1, 1 to 2, 1 to 3, and so on Hm 

 dfstinctbn is certainly very obvious ; but stdl there ^s otherwise 

 S a similarity in the two laws, that the peculiar nature of the 

 Ximate particles of matter which gives rise to the one, must 

 sureTy be the cause of the other. It is to be hoped, therefore 

 that the connecting link will soon be supplied and one fact of 

 great ttert has be°en already determined, which may ultimately 

 hP of use in accounting for this difterence. 



In n 59 we observe an error of the press which it is very 

 Jt"nal to correct. The hydrate of potash is stated to be 



composed of , • o 



^ Potash 48, whose oxygen is 8 



Water 2, ditto 8 



Hpre 2 is evidently a misprint for 9. , , , c 



Some good observations are made on Berzehus's law of com- 

 w .^L thPSP are followed by remarks on the hydracids, 

 aTerTtoChYch we have a Uong'dislike, as denoting the exist- 

 eiW anlcidify ing principle, which we do not admit ; it is also, 

 ^e thinCnot quite correitly stated, that the radicals (query 

 Tdicles) of the^hydracids " agree in possessing strong affinity 

 for the pure metalhc substances, with most of which they form 

 verv disunct and definite compounds ; " the radicle of hydrocyan t 

 led is either azote or carbon, the former does not combine with 

 metals at all, and the union which carbon forms with a few of 

 Sem can hardly be considered as the result of a strong affin.ty ; 

 and no definiteLmpound of any metal and carbon has as yet, 

 vop hplipvp been discovered. 



"'I'tnc^uding these observations, we beg to repeat our recom- 

 mendation of this work, advising Dr. lurner, in a tuture 

 Sn to refer to Dr. WoUaston's very curious paper on the 

 Fi^e Extent of the Atmosphere, for some arguments m sup- 

 port of atomic combination. 



