m 



CHEMICAL COMBINATION 



Affinity Its Adjustments for Action Exquisite Universal- 

 Uniform Manifold Varying in Measures Persistent Stable 

 Argument Independent of the Atomic Theory. 



WE now come to consider the case of atoms in chemical 

 combination. This is one of the most interesting of the 

 fields of science. It is crammed with wonders. It is 

 crowded with adjustments. It is packed with adaptations. 

 It is pervaded by order. Throughout its length and 

 breadth the presence and action of mind are revealed. 

 Mind is everywhere in it, shining in ten thousand nice 

 adjustments, ten thousand thousand exquisite adaptations. 

 Chemical combination is to be distinguished from 

 mixture. Nitrogen and oxygen form a mixture in the 

 atmosphere. Hydrogen and oxygen may also be made to 

 mingle without entering into their most intimate union. 

 In chemical combination the atoms are not only mixed, 

 and in such a manner as to show only the qualities of a 

 mixture; under the influence of a peculiar force they 

 approach each other in a union so close as to create a new 

 substance, differing entirely in nature and qualities from 

 its constituents. A chemist familiar with every property 

 of the simple substances, able by his tests to detect them 

 in the smallest quantity, if a new substance were pre- 

 sented to him for examination, would not be able to form 

 a correct anticipation as to the elements which, by their 



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