

CHAPTER IV. 



ELEMENTARY BODIES. 



ELEMENTARY or simple bodies, are those which consist of a 

 single substance, and cannot be decomposed, or reduced to a 

 more simple form. They are such as have hitherto resisted 

 all attempts at decomposing them; but still, new methods of 

 analysis may yet enable the chemist to prove them to be of a 

 compound nature, and indeed this has already been the case 

 with some which were formerly considered elementary. These 

 simple bodies are about sixty in number, so far as yet known ; 

 but chemical analysis will doubtless make us acquainted with 

 others. Several attempts at classification of these bodies have 

 been made ; but none, as yet, has been on all accounts unob- 

 jectionable. 



One division is, into metallic and non-metallic substances: 

 this division, although entirely arbitrary and less philosophical 

 than some others, is still the most convenient, and sufficiently 

 explicit for our present purpose. It is the one adopted by 

 Doct. Fownes. 



Non-Metallic Elements. 



Oxygen, Chlorine, Silicon, 



Hydrogen, Iodine, Boron, 



Nitrogen, Bromine, Sulphur, 



Carbon, ' Fluorine, Selenium. 



*5 



