FORMATION OF COMPOUND BODIES. 



matter of earth, had been doomed to be pas- 

 sive and inert, no change in nature could have 

 taken place ; it might have undergone different 

 changes, by the agency of external means but 

 destitute, as it naturally 'is, of any inherent 

 power, of action, or of motion, it would have 

 continued, uniformly and invariably, the same, 

 during the long course of revolving ages. 

 The same consequences would have ensued, 

 if the matter of the universe had been either 

 fluid or gaseous only ; and more especi- 

 ally, if it had been evssentially, and inhe- 

 rently, solid and impenetrable. 



It is far otherwise. In the system of nature, 

 we behold matter which possesses different pow- 

 ers, and different capacities, oraptitudes, some 

 species that are totally active, others that are 

 totally passive ; some that move, others that 

 are moved ; some that combine, and others 

 that caneot resist combination. It is by virtue 

 of this difference which exists in the quality of 

 matter of different species, between the power 

 of some, and the weakness of others, that the 

 jrario'us combinations which take place through- 

 out the system of nature, are principally to be 

 referred. 



When two volumes of air of the same 

 kindor two quantities of water, are added 

 together, an increase of bulk takes place in 

 them, in proportion to the quantity of matter 



N2 



