3^8 [Proc. B.N.F.C., 



tabulating the known elements, after Newlands, in octaves, 

 says : — 



" The horizontal series consists of elements resembling each 

 other in their atomic weights ; and of which the properties are 

 gradually modified so as to complete a period. The Vertical 

 Series consists of elements connected by the whole of their 

 properties and may be termed Homologous''' 1 . 

 11 We have given this table at length that the reader may estimate 

 the true value of this attempt at Classification, which for the 

 first time embraces all the elements known to Chemistry. The 

 elements in the vertical series are Natural Families. This 

 attempt, doubtless, still presents many imperfections, greatly 

 due to the uncertain state of our present knowledge, especially 

 with regard to rare elements. The imperfection is undoubtedly 

 due to the fact that the rate of increase in the atomic weight 

 of elements which belong to the same horizontal series is altogether 

 irregular" Li. 7, Be 9, B 1 1, C 12, Ni 14, O 16, Fl 19, here the 

 rate of increase of the atomic weight is 2, 3, x, 2, 2, 3. 



Now this is very true and remarkable, and here I would 

 remark that in the musical octave of notes, the horizontal series, 

 there is also a striking and significant irregularity, both in the 

 increase of the number of vibrations which truly produce the 

 notes, and in remarkable variation of the comma-distance* of 

 the intervals between the notes in nature's ordinance, thus : — 



C 24, D 27, E 30, F32, G 36, A 40, B 45, C 48. 



Notice, then, that here the increase in the vibration numbers 

 is 3, 3, 2, 4, 4, 5. These are the ratios given pretty low 

 down in the scale ; but it matters not what number we 

 begin with at C, the numbers of the successive notes must be in 

 these ratios exactly ; we have no choice in this ; Nature is 

 imperative in the matter of the ratios. And it will be observed 

 that the irregularity of which Wurtz complains is just one of 

 the striking points of our analogy. And it is effectively seen 



* This comma is the 53rd part of the octave. 



