the Decomposition of the Earths, &c. 3 6g 
I venture to hint at these notions: but I do not attach 
much importance to them ; the age of chemistry is not yet 
sufficiently mature for such discussions ; the mere subtile 
powers of matter are but just beginning to be considered ; and 
all general views concerning them, must as yet rest upon 
feeble and imperfect foundations. 
Whatever be the fate of the speculative part of the en- 
quiry, the facts however will, I hope, admit of many applica- 
tions, and explain some phaenomena in nature. 
The metals of the earths cannot exist at the surface of the 
globe ; but it is very possible that they may form a part of the 
interior ; and such an assumption would offer a theory for the 
phaenomena of volcanoes, the formation of lavas, and the 
excitement and effects of subterraneous heat,* and would 
probably lead to a general hypothesis in geology. 
The luminous appearance of those meteors connected with 
the fall of stones, is one of the extraordinary circumstances of 
these wonderful phaenomena. This effect may be accounted 
Water positively electrified would be hydrogene, water negatively electrified, oxygene; 
and as in the physical experiments of temperature, ice, added to certain quantities of 
steam by an equilibrium of heat produces water, so in the chemical experiment of the 
generation of water the positive and negative electricity of oxygene and hydrogene 
in certa n proportions would annihilate each other, and water alone be the result. 
At all events ammonium, whether simple or compound, must be considered as owing 
its attraction for oxygene to its highly positive electrical state, which is shewn by its 
powerful determination to the negative surface in the Voltaic circuit. 
* Let it be assumed that the metals of the earths and alkalies, in alloy with common 
metals, exist in large quantities beneath the surface, then their accidental expo- 
sure to the action of air and water, must produce the effect of subterranean fire, and 
a product of earthy and stony matter analogous to lavas. 
3 B 
MDCCCVIII. 
