272 Scientific Intelligence. 
speculation is based on pure caprice. Its foundation involves especially 
the three following hypotheses : 
(1) Hydrogen must be assumed as the starting point. 
(2) Hydrogen is an element. 
system which has been taken as a starting-point for the construction of 
the whole. 
The second hypothesis, that hydrogen is an element, might have been 
admitted without remark by every chemist who regards as elements all 
ies not hitherto decomposed; but the author of the speculations now 
under consideration is under an obligation to show grounds for such an 
assumption, inasmuch as he comes to the conclusion that others of the 
so-called elements are compounds. : 
The third point, and perhaps the most important in connection with 
results, is no less hypothetical. Why is hydrogen regarded as the result 
of a single operation, and not as the result of two, seeing that oxyge) 
sulphur, ete., are su posed to result from two operations ? We are as 
sured, “There were strong reasons for preferring the use of the system 1 
which @ was employed to present the standard amount of matter 3” but 
these reasons are not yet made known, and therefore their value cannot 
be appreciated. So much, however, is certain, that, if instead of «, the ex 
pression «@ had been chosen for the purpose just mentioned, Brodie’s owt 
form of reasoning would have led to formula identical in every particular 
with those now in use. All bodies which we now regar ments 
would, or, at least, might have been found to be such ; and for all com 
pounds, the system in question would have led to the very formulz which 
he, nt ay 0 . ,ar- 
mplicity of the hypothesis itself, but to the more or less simple chat 
acter of the consequences which follow from it. ; 
the author of the “Calculus of Chemical Operations’ 
;' ifferent amen” # Me 
ple of prime factors, are deducible from the : 
Pike : 3 ar +a baad ad 
p 
o 
m 
o 
im] 
oO 
° 
ad 
o 
® 
nd: 
according to shi print 
formule does not ware eo of our present t st But 
the author of this new mode of re: 
on volume-relations alone + 
tation goes further. Among 
aes ele eR 
