114 Chemical Philosophy. ' [Chap. II. 



the sense by the word. And, 5. That the denomi- 

 nations should be arranged with care, to suit the 

 genius of the language for which they were pro- 

 posed. In conformity with these principles, the 

 new terms introduced were taken, for the most 

 part, from the Greek language; some from the 

 Latin ; and a few are formed by a mixture of syl- 

 lables from each : and, that the change might not 

 be carried to an unnecessary extent, as many of 

 the old names were retained as could be made to 

 incorporate with the new system. These deno- 

 minations were arranged in systematic order, and 

 the whole plan so constructed that the substances 

 brought to light by succeeding discoveries miglit 

 be placed under their proper heads, without de- 

 rangement or disadvantage. 



For some time after its publication, this new 

 system of doctrines and of nomenclature was re- 

 ceived by French chemists only, and indeed was 

 by no means without opposition, even among 

 them. Some members of the academy entered 

 their protest against it, in moderate and respectful, 

 but firm, language*. While they acknowledged 

 that the phhgistic theory was attended with diffi- 

 culties, they expressed a fear that the antiphlogistic 

 plan was attended with as many, and of not less 

 magnitude. Instead of moving to reject it, how- 

 ever, they proposed that it should be submitted 

 to the trial of time, to the test of experiments, and 

 to the elucidating influence of contending inquiries 

 and opinions. This was accordingly done. The 

 academy gave it to the world, without pronouncing 



■* See their representation, in the Mc?noirs of the Royal Academy 

 for June, 1787. 



