



Theory. 



Kerstin. 



( 36MgO 

 ) 24Si02 

 24110 

 ' 2FeO 



720 

 720 

 216 



72 



41-7 



41-7 



12-6 



4-2 



41-5 ) 



40-3 / from 



12*9 r Swartzenberg 



4-1 ) 



G = 2x324 



)1728( 



2-66. 



Expt. 2-47 . . . 2-6. 



EXTENDED TO DENSE BODIES. 597 



In talc, when most simple, the sole genetic element is MgSi ; molecules differ- 

 entiated by Fe. But here differentiation is too active for easy study, until the 

 elements settle into serpentine, to represent which a very interesting molecule 

 presents itself; the body, a sesquicombination of magnesia and silica, and the 

 whole surface hydrated magnesia, except the two poles, which are iron oxide. 



F (aqli MgS Mg S Mg)i2 F. 



Serpentine 



And here I may close, conscious that these constructions are but the merest 

 approximations, and the rudest representations of the exquisite structures of 

 nature. 



Still, it will not be denied, that to any one who has given his mind to the 

 preceding pages, they supply much for men of science to think about ; for in 

 this paper the specific gravities of between sixty and seventy of the most eminent 

 substances of nature and the laboratory have been deduced a prio7^i, have been 

 shown to be proportional to certain molecular numbers which are suggested by 

 pure geometry (and the law of differentiation), the same being supposed to 

 prevail all through nature. It is true that oiu' molecular numbers imply that 

 the formulae of mineral chemistry, and indeed of chemistry generally, are sub- 

 multiples (halves, quarters, or lesser elements) of the molecules of nature, as 

 nature is here conceived And this will necessarily be against the study of them 

 for a time ; as also the too short statement of them in this paper. But let the 

 thing be seriously looked into, and there can be no doubt as to the ultimate 

 issue. 



VOL. XXIIl. PART in. 7 Y 



