Elements of the economy of nature; or, The principles of physics, chemistry and physiology |
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Common terms and phrases
abaric abyss acid aeriform æther ætherial atoms ætherial element affirmed angles appears aqueous volume atmosphere atom of aq atom of H atomic weight auct axis baric C3 aq carbon carbonic acid cellular cellulose centre chemical chemist combination conception constitute constructed couple creation Creator cules dissimilar dodecatom efflorescence elasticity elementary forces equator equatorial equivalent exist expect Expt exquisite formula giving grand law HaqH hence heteropolar Hippuric acid HNHNH homopolar hydrogen icosatom instance insulable isamorphous isometrical laboratory lactic lactic acid law of assimilation law of sphericity matter merely metallic molecular molecule mother element nature nobis non-metallic nucleus oblate obtain organic OSIO oxygen particle of AQ particle of water pentagonal phenomena polar body poles prolate repulsion result saccharine single atoms species sphere structure substance symmetry tend to unite tetratom things third law triatom undulæ vapour
Popular passages
Page 12 - Are not gross bodies and light convertible into one another, and may not bodies receive much of their activity from th'e particles of light which enter their composition...
Page 12 - WE ARE TO ADMIT NO MORE CAUSES OF NATURAL THINGS THAN SUCH AS ARE BOTH TRUE AND SUFFICIENT TO EXPLAIN THEIR APPEARANCES. To this purpose the philosophers say that Nature does nothing in vain, and more is in vain when less will serve; for Nature is pleased with simplicity, and affects not the pomp of superfluous causes.
Page 9 - HAIL, holy Light, offspring of heaven first-born, Or of the eternal co-eternal beam, May I express thee unblamed ? since God is light, And never but in unapproached light Dwelt from eternity, dwelt then in thee, Bright effluence of bright essence increate.
Page 6 - Boscovich, that the ultimate atoms of bodies are homogeneous, we are incapable at present of deciding whether it be well or ill founded. It is not likely that any of these ultimate elements has ever come under our inspection. All our simple bodies are most probably compounds. It is possible that the ultimate elements of bodies may be very few — it is even conceivable that they may be reduced to two; but in what way all the variety of bodies with which we are acquainted, could be produced from one...
Page 74 - ... northern boundary of the coal-field, and consequently a large expenditure of money in the search for coal in that direction could not be recommended. To the southward, however, along Boone River and some of its tributary creeks, the case is quite different, for here large quantities of coal exist, as may be seen by any one who will take the trouble to go to the localities, where it is to be seen in natural exposures in the hill sides.