26 
On Residual Phenomena. 
[January, 
the coincidence is of considerable value, and may be fairly 
interpreted as indicating a profound relation between hydro- 
gen and the other elements. But if we multiply 0*5 or 0*25 
by the same numbers, and especially if we reserve to our- 
selves the right of using either of these factors if the other 
do not suit our purpose, the coincidences will naturally 
become more frequent and less significant. By taking a 
sufficiently minute fraction of the atomic weight of hydrogen 
(say o'ooi), and multiplying it by a series of arbitrarily- 
seleCted whole numbers, we cannot fail to obtain the atomic 
weights of the elements, whether any natural connection 
exists between them or not. 
In opposition to Dumas, Prof. Stas infers — from his own 
justly-famed researches on the atomic weights of nitrogen, 
chlorine, sulphur, potassium, sodium, lead, and silver — ‘‘that 
there exists no common divisor between the weights of 
simple bodies which unite with each other to form definite 
compounds.” He considers, therefore, the hypothesis of 
Prout as altogether illusory, and regards the reputed ele- 
mentary bodies “as distinct entities, having no simple 
relation of weight one to another.” This conclusion he 
founds upon his own recent determinations of the weights of 
certain elements, — a train of research executed with such 
precaution, skill, and patience that it may serve as a model 
for all similar investigations. 
Thus if we take hydrogen = 1, we shall have — 
Oxygen 
15*960 
Silver ... 
107*600 
Nitrogen 
14*009 
Bromine 
• 79750 
Chlorine 
35'3<58 
Iodine ... 
126-533 
Lithium 
... 7*004 
Potassium 
••• 39‘°4° 
Sodium 
22*980 
These numbers 
are, of course, utterly hostile to the 
tensions of Prout’s hypothesis to completeness. Not a 
single exaCt multiple of 1 by a whole number do we find. 
Nor are the deviations from whole numbers so small as to 
be negleCted. Least of all can it be assumed that the 
fractions which occur are the result of any inaccuracy, and 
may consequently be obliterated by further and more 
minutely-accurate research. Those who read the detailed 
account of the experiments of Professor Stas, and note the 
