T. S. Hunt on the objects and method of Mineralogy. 205 
elevated than those usually assigned to the polycyanids, the 
alkaloids, and the proximate principles of plants. similar 
conclusions, conduce also the researches on the specific heat of 
compounds, 
There probably exists between the true equivalent weights of 
specific gravities. The gas, or vapor of a vo atile body consti- 
tutes a species distinct from the same body in its liquid or solid 
of the gaseous species, which varies inversely with the density 
of these species. It follows from this, that the equivalent weights 
as 
nary stearine, is probably far from representing the true equiv- 
alent weight of this fat in its liquid or solid state; and if it should 
hereafter be found that its density corresponds to six times the 
above formula, it would follow that liquid acetic acid, whose 
density differs but slightly from that, of fused stearine, must have 
a formula and an equivalent weight about one hundred times 
pa which we deduce from the density of acetic acid vapor, 
e 
hids, have formulas and sgnireient weights corresponding to 
their still higher densities, an 
’ 
have so long been recognized in the chemical study of the mem- 
bers of the hydrocarbon series. The formulas thus deduce 
for the native silicates and carbon-spars show that these poly 
basic salts may contain many atoms of different bases, and their 
frequently complex and varying constitution is thus rendered 
intelligible. In the application of the principle of chemical ho- 
Am. Jour. Scr.—Srconp Srrres, Vou. XLIII, No. 128.—Mancu, 1867. 
27 
