io Experiments often affect all mankind. 



branch of chemistry has been closely watched for a 

 similar purpose. 



A complete account of the growth and develop- 

 ment of scientific discoveries and inventions would 

 form an extensive history, and would include 

 numerous instances of experiments attended by 

 results which, sooner or later, affected all mankind. 

 Take that of phosphorus, for example. The first 

 evidence of the existence of that substance was 

 obtained by the Saracens in the eighth century. 

 Achild Bechil distilled a powdered mixture of char- 

 coal, clay, lime, and dried extract of urine, and 

 obtained a substance which shone in the dark " like 

 a good moon ; " that substance was phosphorus. 

 The discovery contained in the results of that little 

 dirty and stinking experiment was the germ or seed 

 of all the subsequent developments and applications 

 of phosphorus. About the year 1669 Bechil's 

 experiment was further developed by Brandt, a 

 merchant of Hamburg, and the publication of the 

 wonderful properties of the substance produced a 

 great sensation in his fellow-citizens. " There was 

 then cried nothing but triumph and victory among 

 the chymists. Those good people erected already 

 in their thoughts so many hospitals and poor-houses 

 that no beggar should more molest any man in the 

 streets, made great legacies, and pious causes, and 

 what not else." " Besides, the other alchymists did 

 encourage him yet more, and desisted not to make 

 him believe how this was the same fiery ghost of 



