CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 



Page 



GENERAL CONDITIONS OF MATTER. 



Its varied Characters, and constant change of external Form 

 The Grain of Dust, its Properties and Powers Combina- 

 tions in inorganic Masses and in organized Creations Our 

 knowledge of Matter Theory of Ultimate Atoms The Phy- 

 sical Forces acting on the Composition of Masses The cer- 

 tainty of the exercise of subtile principles, which are beyond 

 the reach of experimental Science .... 1 



CHAPTER II. 



MOTION. 



Are the Physical Forces modes of Motion ? Motion defined 

 Philosophical Views of Motion, and the Principles to which 

 it has been referred Motions of the Earth and of the Solar 

 System Visible Proofs of the Earth's Motion on its Axis 

 Influence of the proper Motions of the Earth on the Condi- 

 tions of Matter Theory of the Conversion of Motion into 

 Heat, &c. The Physical Forces regarded as principles inde- 

 pendent of Motion, although the Cause and often apparently 

 the Eflects of it . . . . . .7 



CHAPTER III. 



GRAVITATION. 



The Forms of Matter Shape of the Earth Probability of the 

 Mass forming this Planet having existed in a Nebulous State 

 Zodiacal Lights Comets Volatilization of Solid Matter 

 by Artificial means The principle of Gravitation Its Influ- 

 ence through Space and within the smallest Limits Gravi- 

 tating powers of the Planets Density of the Earth Cer- 

 tainty of Newton's Law of the Inverse Square Discovery 

 of Neptune State of a Body relieved from Gravitation 

 Experiment explaining Saturn's Ring, &c. General inference 21 



CHAPTER IV. 



MOLECULAR FORCES. 



Conditions of Matter Variety of organized Forms Inorganic 

 Forms All matter reducible to the most simple conditions 

 Transmutation, a natural operation Chemical Elementary 

 Principles Divisibility of Matter Atom Molecules 

 Particles Molecular Force includes several Agencies In- 

 stanced in the Action of Heat on Bodies All Bodies porous 

 Solution Mixture Combination Centres of Force Dif- 

 ferent States of Matter (Allotropic Conditions) Theoi'ies of 

 Franklin, JEpinus, and Coulomb Electrical and Magnetic 

 Agencies Ancient Notions Cohesive Attraction, &c, . 35 



