CHAPTER VII. 





ON THE ELEMENTARY PROPERTIES OF COMMON 

 MATTER IN GENERAL. 



SECTION I. 



On the Matter of Light. 



AFTER having detailed the state of deprivation 

 in which matter, in general, exists, with relation 

 to the principle of vitality, and the properties 

 which it has acquired through its energy it 

 will be easy to comprehend the nature of its 

 existence, after it has lost the participation of 

 Jife which it had received, and when it has 

 been finally and completely resolved back to 

 its common and elementary state, whether of a 

 fluid, or of a solid kind. Instead of contem- 

 plating the nature of extension, and of bulk, 

 which matter, in general, possesses ; by virtue 

 of which it has the capacity, or aptitude, to be 

 acted upon by the agency of external means, 



