ELEMENTS OF SCIENCE. 



CHEMISTRY 



HITHERTO we have considered the action of 

 bodies on each other in masses, or what is called 

 their mechanical actions ; and for this purpose it 

 was not necessary to attend particularly to the 

 difference in the many species or kinds of matter, 

 which we distinguish more or less readily. 



But if we present bodies of different kinds to 

 each other in proper circumstances, a certain action 

 takes place between the minute particles of one sort 

 of substance upon those of another sort, by which, 

 frequently, the individual or peculiar properties of 

 each disappear, and a new substance is formed. 



The study of this action of the minute or ulti- 

 mate particles of different kinds of matter on each 

 other is called chemistry, and the powers thus ex- 

 erted occasion chemical actions. 



Independently of the enlargement of our views 

 of nature, and the pleasure and entertainment de- 

 rived from contemplating her operations, chemistry 

 is essentially useful in many of the arts upon 



VOL. II. B 



