On Subdivision by Trituration and Solution. 51 
- Having hitherto considered the direct agency, I now proceed 
to the indirect ; viz. the promotion of farther division by keeping 
separate the parts already divided. The sugar favors comminu- 
tion by keeping the pieces of flint at a distance from each other, 
and thus preventing that reuniori which would be continually 
taking place in the parts of the pure flint powder pressed against 
each other by the pestle. The parts when once divided, are by 
the interposition of the sugar prevented from again coming within 
the sphere of mutual cohesion, until the subdivision has been car- 
ried to a much greater extent than would have been practicable 
in triturating the flint by itself. 
A limit will, however, be ultimately reached, even under these 
circumstances. As the subdivision continues, the mutual dis- 
tance of the pieces of flint diminishes, and some portions are ulti- 
mately brought again within the sphere of cohesion, and made to 
unite by the same strokes of the pestle which divide others. 
When the number united by each stroke equals the number divi- 
ded by the same, the fineness can no longer be increased by con- 
tinuing the friction. ‘ 
The only way in which the fineness can be increased, is by 
another mixture. Ifa grain of this powder is mixed and tritura- 
ted with ninety-nine grains of hard sugar, like that previously 
employed, a still more minute division of the flint is effected ; 
but, for the same reasons as in the preceding case, we ultimately 
teach the limit, beyond which it is impossible to pass without a 
new, mixture or dilution. By the continued repetition of opera- 
tions similar to those above described, an inconceivable degree of 
at flint, silex, gold, mercury, or any other su ce prepare 
in this way with sugar or saccharum lactis—or some other suit- 
hund 
and each of which would be the one hundredth 
part as large as the parts in the preceding stage. This increase 
and subjected to this operation, then the pa 
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