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matter, and does not imply the idea of a composite aggre- 
gation of the separate particles, each preserving its dis- 
tinctive character after the molecule is formed, any more 
than rain drops preserve their distinctive character after 
falling into the ocean. It appears to me much more in 
accordance with the truth of nature to suppose that the 
smallest conceivable particle of a chemical substance or 
compound, has the same physical properties absolutely as 
the mass. If it be objected that such a union of particles 
would have relations of infinity, and is therefore incon- 
ceivable, it may be answered that the central particles of a 
rotating body have mathematical and physical relations of 
a similar kind, and as the instrument of thought is incapable 
of forming a distinct conception of the magnitude of the 
infinitesimals involved in a centre of rotation, still less is it 
capable of comprehending the mode of union of the unknow- 
able essences on which the physical qualities of chemical 
substances, after combination, depend. Philosophical 
chemists, I apprehend, will hereafter be able to refer the 
origin of the theory of the composite structure of matter, 
after chemical union, to the influence of ideas derived 
principally from the mechanical mixtures employed in 
pharmacy, and in the culinary art. 
In the present hypothesis, it is assumed that a mass of 
hydrogen, of a curvilinear form, acquired a motion of 
rotation about a central point, which caused it to take a 
spiral or convoluted form. As each successive spiral or 
convolution was formed, the particles of hydrogen combined 
with themselves as far as the septenary combination, to 
constitute the type of each group of elements — the number 
of types or groups being equal to the number of convolutions 
of the rotating gas. According to this view, the elementary 
groups my be represented as forms of Hn, H2 n, H3?i, H4?i, 
Hon, H(m, H 7 n\ the internal convolutions forming the 
highest type H7n, and the outer convolution the type Hn. 
