S^Oi Remarks on Chemical Theory, ^c. 



constantly fluctuating. We would not be so unreasonable 

 as to say, that there should be no changes in the language of 

 chemistry, but they should be as few as possible, and they 

 should not be lightly made upon every trivial occasion. 



To the term chlorine we do not however object ; on the 

 contrary we think it a happy word, concise and well sound- 

 ing, and being derived from a sensible property of the body," 

 namely its colour, it does not involve controversy, or take 

 for granted a subject in dispute. The derivations from it 

 are also good and nothing can be better imagined than chlo- 

 ric, acid chlorates, oxid of chlorine, chloride, &;c. ; for wheth- 

 er chlorine be simple or compound, these terms will ever 

 remain correct. But, when the terms derived from hydro- 

 gen are added to those from chlorine, we not only have 

 cumbrous expressions, but they are involved in all the fluc- 

 tuations of a disputed theory. As there was no necessity 

 of precipitancy on this point, and no harm could have re- 

 sulted from continuing to use the words muriatic acid, muri- 

 ates, &z;c. — we should prefer them to hydro chloric acid 

 gas, liquid hydro chloric acid, hydro chlorates, &ic. We 

 are perfectly aware that these terms are in entire consisten- 

 cy with the original principles of the French nomenclature, 

 and it may be ultimately proper to adopt them. But as a 

 principle we object to precipitancy in new modelling a 

 nomenclature, especially where the changes must be nu- 

 merous and important. 



It is the rage of the day to make new words, and it is 

 without doubt, proper, on many occasions, but great cau- 

 tion and thorough consideration should direct every such 

 step ; otherwise it will retard instead of promoting the pro- 

 gress of science. 



These remarks are meant to be of a general nature, and 

 are not to be understood as bearing in any peculiar manner, 

 on Professor Gorham's w^ork. He has gone no farther on 

 this head, than he is supported by some of the first authori- 

 ties in the scientific world. In closing these miscellaneous 

 remarks, we hasten, with pleasure to express our general 

 opinion of the merit of the elements of Dr. Gorham. This work 

 IS not surpassed by any one with which we are acquainted, 

 as a perspicuous, chaste and philosophical treatise. The doc- 

 trines of chemistry are stated v.'ith sufficient fullness and they 

 are well connected, so as to form (as far as the present state 



