of Liquids disposed to unite with each other. 323 



caused by the instability of the equilibrium existing 

 among their molecules ? 



I am very far from assuming to be able to solve this 

 great problem, but it has often been the subject of my 

 thoughts, and I have made at different times a consid- 

 erable number of experiments with a view of throwing 

 light into the profound darkness with which the subject 

 is shrouded on every side. 



At a subsequent sitting of the Class, I shall have the 

 honour of giving an account of the continuation of my 

 researches on this interesting subject. 



[This paper is translated from the Memoires de 1'Institut, etc., VIII., 

 ii., pp. 100-115.] 



