Chemical PhUosophij. SS 



lYiany bodies, the composition of which had never 

 before been accurately investigated. He disco- 

 vered vital or oxijgenous air, about the same lime 

 with Dr. Priestley, and without any knowledge 

 •of what had been done by that celebrated philoso- 

 pher. He discovered a number of new aaV/.9, and 

 exceedingly enlarged the lists of chemical sub- 

 stances. He made known a number of new 

 [paints and d}^cs, and in various ways contributed 

 to the progress of arts and manufactures. In short, 

 he instituted such a variety of original and inter- 

 ■esting experiments, and threw so much light on 

 ■almost every branch of chemical science, that a 

 volume might be filled with their history, and with 

 ihe praises of his ingenuity, diligence, enterprize 

 and success. 



Next, in this honourable catalogue, stands Dr. 

 Priestley, whose fame as the author of number- 

 •iess valuable experiments, and many important 

 discoveries, is known in every part of the world 

 where philosophy iscuUivated. His labours, par- 

 ticularly in pneumatic chemistry, have been exten- 

 sive, various and persevering to a wonderful degree. 

 Among many other services rendered to this branch 

 of science, he discovered the nitrous and oxygenous 

 airs; he first exhibited acids and alkalies in the ga- 

 seous form; he discovered the power of vegeta- 

 tion to restore vitiated air; he ascertained the 

 influence of light in enabling vegetables to yield 

 pure air; and he threw much light on the princi- 

 ples of respiration^ and the influence of oxygenous 

 air on the blood. But the great extent and value 

 of his inquiries, respecting the analysis of the at- 

 mosphere, and the production of various factitious 

 airs, can be fully understood only by the perusal ot 

 his instructive volumes on these subjects. 



To the list of successive luminaries in chemistry^ 

 now under review, it would bo improper not to 



