vtlCAL ACfiOtf, 43 



only as the great dissolvcr, because the varied actions of the 

 one gn :it l,i\v, will be more readily comprehended, by separa- 

 ting th> dill'rivnt modes of force as much as possible* 



Thus if a division could be said to exist at all, we would 

 consider the attractive force as the great builder the repulsive 

 force as the great designer ; while chemical action would receive 

 the ominous appellation of the great destroyer. 



By way of illustration, we may offer a few examples of the 

 particular action referred to. 



Suppose we drop a piece of sugar in a glass of water, in a 

 short time it dissolves. There is in the process no perceptible 

 disturbance, but, on tasting the water, it will be evident a 

 change has come over it. How did this take place ? Merely by 

 the mineral atoms in the water, finding some other mineral 

 atoms in the sugar, and attracting them ; and by the vegetable 

 atoms finding similar vegetable atoms and attracting them, 

 But in attracting each other, similar poles often come in contact, 

 so that great repulsion must continually ensue. It is evident, 

 therefore, that in every solution, there is a continuous motion 

 and reciprocation between the atoms. The more evenly divided 

 the two classes of atoms are in the solution also, the more active 

 will the interaction be. Thus if we place a nail in water, it 

 takes a long time for it to rust or dissolve, for the hydrogen, or 

 mineral atoms, in the water are few, compared to the oxygen or 

 vegetable atoms. But pour some acid into the water, and the 

 chemical action is instantly increased, and the nail dissolved. 

 Suppose we place a nail in concentrated acid, the action is, 

 strange to say, also slow ; but pour in some water to weaken it, 

 ta some would think, and the action is again increased. 



Chemical action is also exhibited in various forms. For 



