THE 
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
JULY, 1885. 
I. “ EVOLUTION AS APPLIED TO THE 
CHEMICAL ELEMENTS.”*' 
By the Count O. Reichenbach. 
f HERE was an article in “ Nature,” Nov. 6th, 1875, 
where Mr. T. B. Blanchard “ supposed ” this theory 
had not been discussed before. In consequence I 
sent the following paper to the Editor.t It was returned 
on December 5th, for “ in the pursuit ” “ of the discussion ” 
of the “ great principle ” “ of Darwin,” as applied “ to the 
Chemical Elements,” a distinguished scientist had informed 
Dumas, on December 3rd, that he made “ observations ” 
“ indicating the breaking up of atoms of bodies hitherto 
regarded as elementary.” 
Seeing the absence of experimental and metaphysical 
progress, I contribute this phantasmagoria for the benefit of 
aspiring alchemists. 
It would be hasty to affirm that we cannot succeed in 
mutating any element, but the metamorphosis of most, or 
perhaps all, of them may depend — like the creation of or- 
ganisms — on circumstances and powers beyond our control. 
* The article “ Recent Developments of Chemical Science,” in “ Journal of 
Science” (January, 1885), is the immediate cause of this contribution. 
f Written in 1862, preceded by “ On the Atom and on Heat” (1861), and 
followed by “ The Origin of Organisms ” (1865). 
VOL. VII. (THIRD SERIES). 
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