When a student of science forgets that the particular branch of natural knowledge which he cultivates is part of a living and growing organism, and attempts to study it merely as a collection of facts, he has already Esau-like sold his birthright for a mess of pottage; for is it not the privilege of the scientific student of Nature always to work in the presence of "something which he can never know to the full, but which he is always going on to know"—to be ever encompassed about by the greatness of the subject which he seeks to know? Does he not recognize that, although some of the greatest minds have made this study the object of their lives, the sum of what is known is yet but as a drop in the ocean? and has he not also been taught that every honest effort made to extend the boundaries of natural knowledge must advance that knowledge a little way?
It is not easy to remember the greatness of the issues which depend on scientific work, when that work is carried on, as it too often is, solely with the desire to gain a formal and definite answer to some question of petty detail.
"That low man seeks a little thing to do,
Sees it and does it:
This high man, with a great thing to pursue,
Dies ere he knows it.
"That low man goes on adding one to one,
His hundred's soon hit:
This high man, aiming at a million,
Misses a unit."
INDEX.
A
Acids, connected by Lavoisier with oxygen, [91];
Boyle's and other early definitions, [171];
opposed in early medicine to alkalis, [172];
grouped, [173];
salts, [173];
"the primordial acid," [174];
oxygen not a necessary constituent, [184];
new division of acids by Davy, [205];
acids of different basicity, [237];
modern conception of acids, [301].
Affinity, chemical, apparently suspended by electricity, [191];
history of term "affinity," [206];
tables of, [207];
dependent on electric states, [210].
Air, composition of, determined by Cavendish, [79];
Dalton's investigations, [116].
Alchemy, [5];
alchemical symbols of metals, [11];
quotations from alchemists, [15], [17];
alchemical poetry, [18].
Alcoates, [235].
Alkalis, [171];
fixed and volatile, [173];
mild and caustic, examined by Black, [176];
connection with earths, [178];
name of "base" given by Rouelle, [179];
Gay-Lussac's alkalizing principle, [203].
Ammonia, discovered by Priestley, [66].
Atmolysis, [243].
Atomic theory, dawn of, [117];
early views of Greek philosophers, [123];
of Epicurus and Lucretius, [124];
of Newton and Bernoulli, [125];
Dalton's new views—combination in simple multiples, [127], et seq.;
the theory made known by Dr. Thomson, [129];
it is opposed at first by Davy, [130];
Dalton's rules for arriving at atomic weights, [132];
more accurately applied by Berzelius, [133], [162];
diagrams of atoms, [118], [136];
the theory as carried out by Gay-Lussac and Avogadro, [138], et seq.;
conception of the molecule, [140];
molecular and atomic weight, [145];
Graham's work on molecular reactions, [249];
Berzelius's dualistic views, [212];
they are attacked by Dumas, [260];
conception of the compound radicle, [267];
Laurent's unitary theory, [272];
modern conception of molecule, [275];
revision of atomic weights, [285];
equivalency of atoms, [295].
Avogadro, his elucidation of the atomic theory, [138], et seq.;
introduces the idea of molecules, [140];
law known as Avogadro's law, [143].
B
Base (of salts), [179];
basic lines in spectrum, [311].
Becher, John J., born at Speyer, [26];
his three principles of metals, [26];
his principle of inflammability, [48];
his views on acids, [174].
Berthollet, analyzes ammonia, [66];
adheres to the Lavoisierian theory of combustion, [95];
questions doctrine of fixity of composition, [126];
and necessary presence of oxygen in acids, [184];
shows variable nature of affinities, [208].
Berzelius, Johann J., [106];
determines weights of elementary atoms, [133];
his birth and education, [157];
works at Stockholm, [159];
his slight appliances and large discoveries, [161];
he reviews Dalton's atomic theory, [162];
his views superseded by Avogadro's generalization, [165];
he accepts law of isomorphism, [166];
and Davy's discovery of chlorine, [204];
his views on affinity of atoms, [209];
his dual classification, [212];
works at organic chemistry, [220];
his dualism attacked by Dumas, [260].
Black, Joseph, born at Bordeaux, [30];
his education, [31];
his thesis on magnesia and discovery of "fixed air," [33], et seq.;
inquiries into latent heat, [39];
professor at Edinburgh, [41];
his death and character, [41], et seq.;
resumé of his work, [102];
his examination of alkalis, [176].
Boyle, Hon. Robert, [25];
his "Sceptical Chymist," [76];
law known as "Boyle's law," [77];
opposes doctrine of elementary principles, [93];
his definition of an acid, [171];
extends the knowledge of salts, [177].
Bromine, discovered by Balard, [291].
C
Carbonic acid gas, or "fixed air," studied by Black, [35];
by Priestley, [57], [69].
Cavendish, Hon. Henry, rediscovers hydrogen, [63], [78];
and composition of water and air, [78].
Chloral, } produced by Liebig, composition determined by Dumas, [273].
Chloroform,}
Chlorine, discovered by Davy, [202];
replaces hydrogen in organic compounds, [271].
Colloids, [247].
Combination in multiple proportions, [127].
Combustion, studied by early chemists, [24] (vide "Phlogistic theory");
studied by Black, [47];
his views of Lavoisier's theory, [51];
Priestley's views of combustion, [62];
Lavoisier's experiments, [83], et seq.;
Liebig's combustion-tube, [263].
Compound radicle, [267];
the idea of substitution, [270], [276].
Conservation of mass, doctrine of, [82].
Crystallization, water of, [237].
Crystalloids, [247].
D
Dalton, John, his birth and education, [107];
"answers to correspondents," [109];
his meteorological observations, [110];
teaches at Manchester, [110];
colour-blind, [111];
pressures of gaseous mixtures, [113];
strives after general laws, [115];
first view of atomic theory, [117];
visits Paris, [120];
honours conferred on him, [121], [122];
dies, [123];
consideration of atomic theory (which see), [123], et seq.;
his "New System of Chemical Philosophy," [129];
fixes atomic weight of hydrogen, [130];
small use he makes of books, [148];
inaccurate as an experimenter, [149];
his method compared with Priestley's, [151].
Davy, Sir Humphry, [106];
opposes the atomic theory, [129];
accepts same, [130];
studies the chemical aspects of electricity, [185];
experiments on the acid and alkali said to be produced by electrolyzing water, [186];
apparent suspension of chemical affinities by action of electricity, [191];
discovers potassium, [197];
and sodium, [198];
the metallic bases of earths, [200];
proves the elementary nature of chlorine, [202];
Davy's birth and youth, [215];
experiments on heat, [217];
his work at Bristol, [218];
inhales gases, [220];
lectures at the Royal Institution, [222];
discovers iodine and invents safety-lamp, [224];
dies, [226].
Dialysis, [247].
Diffusion-rates of gases, [241];
distinguished from transpiration-rates, [242];
diffusion-rates of liquids, [245].
Dulong, his law of atomic heat, [168].
Dumas, Jean B. A., birth and education, [257];
physiological studies, [258];
meets Von Humboldt, [259];
attacks the dualism of Berzelius, [260];
Dumas's vapour density process, [262];
ethers and alcohols, [265];
chlorine in connection with organic compounds, [271];
determines composition of chloral and chloroform, [273];
studies fermentation, [287];
member of the National Assembly, [288];
takes office, [289].
E
Earths, [177];
Stahl's views, [178];
the connection between earths and alkalis, [178];
their metallic bases, [182], [200].
Economy of waste materials, [300].
Electric affinity, [191], [210].
Electricity, Volta's battery, [185];
used to decompose water, [185];
new metals discovered by its help, [197].
Elements: old doctrine of elementary principles opposed by Boyle, [93];
modern definition of element, [95]
(vide "Spectroscopic analysis"—basic lines, [311]).
Equivalency, conception of, [294].
F
Fermentation, studied by Dumas, [287].
Fourcroy, calls Lavoisier's views "La chimie Française,", [95]
G
Gay-Lussac, [138], [143], [201], [203], [257].
Gerhardt, [272], [279].
Graham, Thomas, early life, [233];
made Master of the Mint, [234];
his death, [235];
studies alcoates, [235];
formulates conception of acids of different basicity, [237];
considers hydrogen a metal, [238];
investigates phenomena observed by Döbereiner, [240];
diffusion-rates of gases, [241];
of liquids, [245];
his atmolyzer, [243];
his dialyzer, [247];
studies movements and reactions of molecules, [249].
H
Hales's experiments on gases, [34].
Heat, Black's study of latent heat, [39];
specific heat, [98];
Dalton lectures on, [117];
law of capacity for heat, [168];
heat as produced by friction, [217].
Helmholtz, [143];
vortex atoms, [125].
Hooke, Robert, his "Micographia," [24];
studies combustion, [34].
Humboldt, Alexander von, assists Liebig, [256];
and Dumas, [259].
Hydrochloric acid discovered by Priestley, [66];
a stumbling-block to Lavoisierian chemists, [200];
studied by Davy, [201].
Hydrogen, rediscovered by Cavendish, [63];
experimented on by Priestley, [66];
its atomic weight decided by Dalton, [130];
Graham considers it a metal, [238].
I
Iodine, discovered by Davy, [224].
Isomerism, [297].
Isomorphism, law of, [167].
L
Laplace, assists Lavoisier, [90].
Latent heat, Black's theory of, [39].
Laurent, his unitary theory, [272], [278].
Lavoisier, Antoine L., born at Paris, [79];
confutes idea of transmutation, [81];
paper on calcination of tin, [84];
meets Priestley, [61], [85];
his theory of combustion, [51], [86];
his chemical nomenclature, [96];
he is guillotined, [99];
resumé of his work, [103];
his views on salts, [183], [184].
Liebig, Justus, birth, [256];
Humboldt and Gay-Lussac, [257];
his improved combustion-tube, [263];
studies the cyanates, [264];
distinction between organic and inorganic chemistry effaced, [265];
produces chloroform and chloral, [273];
benzoyl, [274];
he leaves Giessen for Munich, [280];
his practical and economic discoveries, [283];
death, [284];
his failure to discover bromine, [291].
Lockyer, his work with spectroscope, [310] (and vide "Spectroscopic analysis").
M
Mayow, John, studies combustion, [24].
Metals, new, discovered by Berzelius, [101];
by Davy, [197];
hydrogen a metal, [238].
Meyer, his views on acids, [174].
Mitscherlich's law of isomorphism, [167].
Molecule, conception of, [140];
molecular weight, [145];
molecular mobility of gases, [242];
movements and reactions of molecules, [249];
modern conception of, [275].
Morveau, De, embraces Lavoisier's views, [96].
Muriatic acid (vide "Hydrochloric acid,") [119].
N
Nitric acid, discovered by Priestley, [65];
produced by electrolysis, [188].
Nomenclature, Lavoisier's system of, [96].
O
Oil, principle of, [254].
Organic chemistry, worked at by Berzelius, [229];
attempts to define it, [253];
loose application of the term, [255];
Wöhler's manufacture of urea abolishes distinction of organic and inorganic chemistry, [265].
Oxygen discovered by Priestley, [59];
Lavoisier's experiments, [87];
it is viewed by him as an acidifier, [91], [175];
Berthollet shows it not a necessary constituent of acids, [184]
(vide "Acids").
P
Paracelsus, [13];
his pamphlet, "Tripus Aureus," etc., [19].
Petit, [168].
Phlogistic theory, [26];
enunciated by Stahl, [27];
abandoned by Black, [46];
phlogiston described as a kind of motion, [49];
discovery of dephlogisticated air, [59];
the theory overthrown by Lavoisier, [92].
Phosphoric acid, [86].
Pneumatic trough, invented by Priestley, [57].
Potassium, discovered by Davy, [197].
Prussic acid, discovered by Berthollet, [184].
Priestley, Joseph, born, [52];
bred for the ministry, [53];
writes on electricity, [55];
his pneumatic trough, [57];
discovers oxygen, [59];
meets Lavoisier, [61], [85];
goes to Birmingham, [65];
his experiments on hydrogen, [66];
his house burnt by rioters, [71];
emigrates to America, [72];
dies there, [73];
resumé of his work, [102];
his method compared with that of Dalton, [151].
Q
Quantitative analysis neglected by early chemists, [29];
first accurately employed by Black, [33];
used by Lavoisier, [87].
R
Respiration explained by Lavoisier, [91].
Revolution, French, its effect on Priestley, [70];
Lavoisier guillotined, [99].
Richter's equivalents of acids and bases, [162].
Ripley, Canon, an alchemist, his poems, [18].
Rouelle, invents term "base," [179];
his studies on salts, [181].
S
Salts, [173];
"principle of salt" opposed by Boyle, [177];
earth or alkali the base of salts, [179];
Rouelle's inquiries, [181];
Lavoisier's definition, [184];
considered as metallic derivatives of acids, [205];
alcoholic salts, [235].
"Sceptical Chymist, The," by Hon. Robert Boyle, [76]-93.
Shelburne, Earl of, patron of Priestley, [58];
to whom he grants an annuity, [65].
Spectroscopic analysis, [302];
lines in solar spectrum, [306];
the solar atmosphere, [308];
Lockyer's mapping of the lines, [310];
basic lines, [311];
objections to his hypothesis, [313].
Stahl, George Ernest, born at Anspach, [27];
enunciates the phlogistic theory, [27], [48];
his "primordial acid," [174];
his essential property of earths, [178].
Sulphur dioxide, discovered by Priestley, [66].
Sulphur salts, discovered by Berzelius, [161].
T
Transmutation, confuted by Lavoisier, [81].
Transpiration of gases, [242].
Types, [279].
V
Valentine, Basil, an alchemist, [15];
his views on alkalis, [174].
Van Helmont, [24].
Vitriols, [180].
Volta's electric pile, [184].
W
Water, its composition discovered by Cavendish, [68]-78;
nearly discovered by Priestley, [68];
confirmed by Lavoisier, [90];
decomposed by electricity, [185].
Weight of ultimate particles, [117], [132];
molecular and atomic, [145];
revision of atomic weights, [285].
Wöhler, his account of visit to Berzelius, [160], [204], [229];
studies cyanates with Liebig, [264];
results of his discovery as to urea, [265].
Wollaston, supports atomic theory, [130].