Chapter II: Preface: iii

CONTENTS. v

INTRODUCTION. ix

CHAPTER I.

GENERAL CONDITIONS OF MATTER.

Its varied Characters, and constant change of
external Form--The Grain of Dust, its Properties and
Powers--Combinations in inorganic Masses and in organized
Creations--Our knowledge of Matter--Theory of Ultimate
Atoms--The Physical Forces acting on the Composition
of Masses--The certainty of the exercise of subtile
principles, which are beyond the reach of experimental
Science 1

CHAPTER II.

MOTION.

Are the Physical Forces modes of Motion?--Motion
defined--Philosophical Views of Motion, and the Principles
to which it has been referred--Motions of the Earth and
of the Solar System--Visible Proofs of the Earth’s Motion
on its Axis--Influence of the proper Motions of the Earth
on the Conditions of Matter--Theory of the Conversion of
Motion into Heat, &c.--The Physical Forces regarded as
principles independent of Motion, although the Cause and
often apparently the Effects of it 7

CHAPTER III.

GRAVITATION.

The Forms of Matter--Shape of the Earth--Probability
of the Mass forming this Planet having existed in a
Nebulous State--Zodiacal Lights--Comets--Volatilization
of Solid Matter by Artificial means--The principle
of Gravitation--Its Influence through Space and
within the smallest Limits--Gravitating powers of the
Planets--Density of the Earth--Certainty of Newton’s Law
of the Inverse Square--Discovery of Neptune--State of a
Body relieved from Gravitation--Experiment explaining
Saturn’s Ring, &c.--General inference 21

CHAPTER IV.

MOLECULAR FORCES.

Conditions of Matter--Variety of organized
Forms--Inorganic Forms--All matter reducible to the
most simple conditions--Transmutation, a natural
operation--Chemical Elementary Principles--Divisibility
of Matter--Atom--Molecules--Particles--Molecular
Force includes several Agencies--Instanced
in the Action of Heat on Bodies--All Bodies
porous--Solution--Mixture--Combination--Centres
of Force--Different States of Matter (Allotropic
Conditions)--Theories of Franklin, Æpinus, and
Coulomb--Electrical and Magnetic Agencies--Ancient
Notions--Cohesive Attraction, &c. 35

CHAPTER V.

CRYSTALLOGENIC FORCES.

Crystallisation and Molecular Force
distinguished--Experimental Proof--Polarity of
Particles forming a Crystal--Difference between
Organic and Inorganic Forms--Decomposition of
Crystals in Nature--Substitution of Particles in
Crystals--Pseudomorphism--Crystalline Form not dependent
on Chemical Nature--Isomorphism--Dimorphism--Theories of
Crystallogenic Attraction--Influence of Electricity and
Magnetism--Phenomena during Crystallisation--Can a change
of Form take place in Primitive Atoms?--Illustrative
Example of Crystallisation 50