518 On the two great powers, [Ocr. 
These explanations, however, though perhaps at first sight appa- 
rently satisfactory, will not account for the imperfect combinations 
which generally take place in solution. 
It will not be difficult to shew that the cohesion and greater spe- 
cific gravity of the solid, cannot be the forces, which prevent an in- 
timate combination from taking place.’ When once the attraction for 
the atoms of the liquid has overcome these forces, the atoms of salt 
and water would come into absolute contact and form a most intimate 
combination. 
This is evident from the following considerations :—that, as the 
atoms of salt separate from each other, their attraction decreases. 
But, as they approach those of the water, their attraction for the lat- 
ter, increases in as great a ratio as their own cohesion decreases. 
Hence, since the attraction for the atoms of the water, when compara- 
tively at a distance from those of the salt, is superior in force to the 
cohesion of the latter, when near to each other,—much more then 
would the attraction for the water exceed the cohesion of the salt, 
when the atoms of the salt have separated from each other, but ap- 
proached those of the water. 
The difference of specific gravity in itself, but an inconsiderable 
force, does not increase. The effect resulting from all these forces 
would be, an actual contact of the atoms of the solid with those of the 
fluid. How much more then, an intimate combination. 
This effect can only be prevented, by the repulsive force of the 
heat ; which must operate between the atoms of a solid and those of a 
liquid, in like manner as between any other atoms. But if the attrac- 
tion is superior to the repulsion at one distance, it will also be at any 
other, (according to this law ;) and this superiority of the attraction 
will increase as the atoms of the solid approach those of the liquid. 
The intimacy of the combination therefore cannot be prevented by the 
repulsion, if being already inferior to the attraction, it varies in the 
same ratio with it. 
The solution of solids in liquids and the weak resulting combina- 
tions, cannot then be explained, if the force of repulsion be supposed to 
vary inthe same ratio as the attraction. Neither could the mere 
condensation of many gases by liquids be accounted for, as might also 
be proved. | 
Fifthly.—Of the solution of liquids in gases. 
Although various theories have been proposed, in explanation of the 
solution of liquids, in gaseous fluids, yet no one is altogether satisfac- 
