318 APPENDIX. [No. XXIII. 



property of matter, which it has possessed as long as matter has existed, 

 and will possess till matter ceases to exist, by the fiat of an Immateeial 



POWEB. 



We know not how far matter is divisible, because we can readily 

 separate it into particles far below what our senses can appreciate ; never- 

 theless, it is convenient to assume that matter is divisible into definite 

 particles which can no longer be divided, and hence called atoms. We 

 know not, moreover, how many kinds of matter there are, or whether there 

 is more than one kind. It by no means follows because we cannot decom- 

 pose the so-called sixty elements that they are separate bodies. We must 

 remember that it is possible, as every element has a different combining 

 number, that each may be only a number of atoms attracted together so 

 firmly as to resist our powers of separation. These considerations are 

 entirely within the boundary of spectdation, and not at present of fact; 

 yet this view m^eets all the known facts of the case, and when two theories, 

 equally expressing aU the circumstances, are offered for our consideration, 

 it is more consistent with natural science to choose that which involves 

 the fewest hypotheses. One of the most subtle divisions of solid matter is 

 to be found in the black pulverulent state of metals, such as employed for 

 my form of battery. It has been supposed that aU matter is black when 

 extensively divided, because the particles are too small to reflect light ; but 

 the form of the black particles is unknown to us, because the highest 

 powers of the microscope are insuf&cient to render them visible to the eye. 

 At the last Bakerian lecture Professor Faraday made known methods for 

 dividing gold to an extreme amount. He precipitates the metal from its 

 solution by bi-sulphuret of carbon, and obtains a ruby-coloured liquid, in 

 which metallic gold is so minute that the particles are invisible by any 

 microscopic power. This distinguished philosopher satisfied himself that 

 the ruby glass owes its colour to gold in a metaUic state in an infinite 

 division, and by adding gelatine to the ruby solution he obtained a ruby 

 jelly precisely similar. 



Ultimate particles of matter are aggregated or attracted into masses, 

 of which we may observe many varieties. Look at ice : how different is its 

 appearance at different times ; and in our electro-metallurgic deposits, 

 where we build up our objects atom by atom, we obtain many very different 

 kinds of aggregation. The copper electrotype from which the Bank of 

 England note is printed, is so excellent, that a portion I tried was found 

 capable of being drawn into three and a half miles of wire, whilst under 

 certain circumstances copper deposited breaks with a conchoidal fracture 

 with the greatest ease. 



We are ignorant whether there is any difference in the mode of attrac- 

 tion between the ultimate particles of soUd, fluid, and gaseous particles; 

 but having regard to the entire range of physical knowledge, we may 

 assume that the particles are most firmly attracted in the solid, and more 

 in the fluid than the gaseous state, as by different amounts of attraction we 

 obtain the difference between the solid and gaseous states. I have specu- 

 lated whether one atom might not by itseM have boundless expanse, and 

 fill the firmament — a limitation of extent being due to the attraction 

 betwBen two or more atoms of matter. 



Masses of matter aggregated together stiU have the power of attract- 

 ing each other into one uniform mass, by adhesion, as when two pieces of 



