xiv THE ATOMIC THEORY 293 



is scarcely possible to conceive how the aggregates of 

 dissimilar particles should be so uniformly the same. If 

 some of the particles of water were heavier than others, if 

 a parcel of the liquid on any occasion were constituted 

 principally of these heavier particles, it must be supposed to 

 affect the specific gravity of the mass, a circumstance not 

 known. Similar observations may be made on other sub- 

 stances. Therefore we may conclude that the ultimate 

 particles of all homogeneous bodies are perfectly alike in weight, 

 figure, etc. In other words, every particle of water is like 

 every other particle of water ; every particle of hydrogen is 

 like every other particle of hydrogen, etc." (New System, 

 1808, I. 142 ; A.C.R. II. 28). 



" Chemical analysis and synthesis go no farther than to 

 the separation of particles one from another, and to their 

 reunion. No new creation or destruction of matter is within 

 the reach of chemical agency. We might as well attempt to 

 introduce a new planet into the solar system, or to annihilate 

 one already in existence, as to create or destroy a particle of 

 hydrogen. All the changes we can produce, consist in 

 separating particles that are in a state of cohesion or 

 combination, and joining those that were previously at a 

 distance" (A.CR. II. 29). 



" If there are two bodies, A and B, which are disposed 

 to combine, the following is the order in which the com- 

 binations may take place, beginning with the most simple : 

 namely, 



i atom of A + i atom or B = i atom of C, binary 



1 atom of A + 2 atoms of B = i atom of D, ternary 



2 atoms of A + i atom of B = i atom of E, ternary 



i atom of A + 3 atoms of B = i atom of F, quaternary 



3 atoms of A + i atom of B = i atom of G, quaternary 



etc., etc. 



(New System, 1808, I. 212 ; A.C.R. II. 30.) 



" From the application of these rules, to the chemical 

 facts already ascertained, we deduce the following con- 

 clusions : 



(i) That water is a binary compound of hydrogen and 



