192 Scientific Sophisms. 



contends that the properties of the different 

 elements (i.e., the chemical elements, hydrogen, 

 carbon, etc.) " result from differences of arrange- 

 ment, arising from the compounding and re- 

 compounding of ultimate homogeneous units" ' 

 So that, to sum up all in one word, there is 

 but, as he further tells us, "one ultimate form 

 of matter, out of which the successively more 

 complex forms of matter are built up." 9 



These statements are not lacking, either in 

 clearness or consistency. Their only fault is 

 that they are not correct. The " one ultimate 

 form of matter" is not forthcoming. The 

 " homogeneous extended solids " are not homo- 

 geneous. We are not to be surprised if we 

 should see sixty-two out of the sixty-three 

 " elements " fall to pieces analytically before 

 our eyes. If we would speak positively of the 

 simplicity of phosphorus or carbon, we are 

 warned that " there are no recognised ele- 

 mentary substances, if the expression means 

 substances known to be elementary. What 

 chemists for convenience call elementary sub- 

 stances, are merely substances which they have 

 thus far failed to decompose." 



But let the contrary supposition be admitted. 



1 Contemp. Rev., June, 1872. 



* " Principles of Psychology," vol. i. p. 155. 



