Chemistry. ~~ 403 
of the masses of matter, we infer that the atoms also, cannot act where 
_ they are not ; and that, in very truth, they are every where, (as Fara- 
day assumes,) but diversely in different places. Thus, as the masses 
are gravitantly and electrically every where, excepting within certain 
small limits about their centers ; so, within these small limits, they are 
present to each other in a different manner, namely, chemically, ‘and 
mechanically.—The atoms being universally present in space. through 
their electric and gravitant relation, they do really fill all space and con- 
stitute a true «ther capable of propagating the motions of heat and 
light. The small limits within and without which the powers operate, 
are the i imaginary spheroidal limits of the ‘ nucleus’ or lesser sphere o 
the atom. 
* By this new atomic theory, the chemist unburthens himself of a great 
variety of hypotheses ;—such as that of “ latent heat,” “ specific heat,’’* 
“visible dead molecules,”+ “ interstellary ether,’t “caloric,” * elec: 
trie fluids,”§ with all the hard drawn lines which separate the parts 
and powers of matter from each other, end promee the conception of it 
as a whole. 
It reduces every thing to forces. Reasoning from the always elec 
trified and gravitant mass, to its least particle, it ‘finds that ‘elit in in 
relation, through a line of gravity, (which i is also a line of electric in- 
duction.) with every other least particle in the universe. The number 
of these lines being truly infinite, the whole of space is occupied by 
them. The substance in which they are generated is the ancient. First 
Matter, or Potential, of which the human understanding forms an idea 
to itself, and calls it matter, or, (dynamically) force. This first mate 
ter always appears as positive and negative, resolving itself into oppo- 
Sea ee sh siancaolae 
* Proceedings of the sixth annual meeting of the Assoc. of Amer. Geol 
Nes, held in New Haven, Conn., April, 1845, (pages 17-22, of the inten re- 
"e 
id., page 20, 
fi IPthe Saul ‘nucleus’ contracts by pulses, or minute vibrations, these must 
be radiated from it in the manner of waves; anaes space, like the fadinint 
inless of oe But paige are ni these! waves,’ "therseme with those ¢ ‘pe 
ie Fa pocala 
