[EXAMPLES OF THE DIVISIBILITY OF MATTER.]
All that has been written in support of what is termed the "Infinite Divisibility of Matter," has been advanced with an oversight of certain axiomatic principles which immediately decide the question in the negative. Indeed, it would suffice to say that there can be no such thing as a division of matter into an infinite number of parts simply because there can be no such thing as an infinite number of any thing. Number is essentially finite, and although, in imagination, it can be extended indefinitely, it never can be positively infinite, at any period of futurity, from the very fact that we can always conceive of its being extended still farther. Even as an ideal extension of parts, it has always a beginning and an end, at any given time we may assume for measuring it, and is, therefore, never infinite in itself at any time. In this respect it differs essentially from infinite space, which having no parts, is positively infinite at all times. Number is a convenient instrument wherewith to obtain an idea of infinite space, or of infinite duration, on account of its capacity for endless extension or continuation; and it is because we can ideally extend and continue it forever, without even approximating to a measurement of space and duration, that we discover the latter to be absolutely infinite, and number to be absolutely finite. We discover that between the capacity for endless extension and endless extension itself, there is a manifest and decided difference. Under any circumstances, therefore, the term infinite, as applied to the divisibility of matter, is unphilosophical and improper. All the matter in the universe is finite, and if it were to be doubled, or quatrilliontupled, every instant of time, to all eternity, it would never become infinitely extended. And, by the same rule, it can never become infinitely subdivided.
If, however, by the term "infinite divisibility," as applied to matter, is merely meant its capacity for interminable subdivision, then the question resolves itself either into one of speculative fancy or of practical fact. If the former, then it must be admitted that, by an effort of the imagination, we can conceive of such a divisibility beyond any assignable limits. But if we regard the question as a practical one, it immediately becomes too absurd for serious attention, since it is evident that human power, limited in all things, must be so in producing artificial subdivisions of matter. However unlimited, therefore, the capacity of matter may be for divisibility, that of human beings, in relation to it, must be narrow indeed. When chemists, therefore, and other philosophers, speak of the divisibility of the present ultimate atoms of matter, they must, however unconsciously, regard them in relation to human ability, and thus far the question may become one of experiment. But the question as to whether matter can actually be subdivided indefinitely and without end, is one readily answered in the negative, by the known inability of mankind to continue an endless experiment of this kind. The whole question therefore, concerning the illimitable divisibility of matter, which has been discussed from the earliest period of science to the present day, is frivolous, fruitless, and irrational.
As matter now exists, not only its ultimate atoms, but even its constituent molecules, are as inconceivably minute, as its aggregations are vast. Taking an exemplification, from organic matter, we find that a single drop of a strong solution of indigo, in which at least 500,000 parts are rendered distinctly visible by the microscope, colors 1,000 cubic inches of water, and as this quantity of water is at least half a million of times greater than the drop of indigo solution, the particles of indigo must be smaller than 2,500,000,000,000, the twenty-five hundred millionth part of a cubic inch. If we dissolve a particle of silver, of 0.01 of a cubic line, in size, in nitric acid, it will render distinctly milky 500 cubic inches of a clear solution of common salt; and, consequently, the magnitude of each particle of silver thus divided and diffused, must be somewhat less than the billionth part of a cubic line! So great a number as a billion being but imperfectly conceivable, it may render the idea of this minute division more distinct, by stating that to count a single billion of seconds, by a watch, every day and night without ceasing, would require 31,675 years. In gilding silver wire, it is found, by calculation, that a grain of gold is spread over 1,400 square inches; and as, when examined by a microscope, the gold upon the thousandth part of a linear inch is distinctly visible, it is demonstrated that gold may be divided into particles of at least the billionth, 400 millionth, of a square inch in size, and retain the color and all other characteristics of a California prize. If a grain of copper be dissolved in nitric acid, and then in water of ammonia, it will give a decidedly violet color to 392 cubic inches of water; and, therefore, if there was but one particle of copper in each portion of the water of the size of a grain of sand, of which one million make a cubic inch, it would show that the original grain of copper had become divided into 392 particles.
This extreme tenuity of matter, however, is far surpassed in some examples which may be adduced from organic sources. It is upon authentic record that an Irish girl has spun linen yarn, of which one pound was 1,432 English miles in length, and of which, therefore, 17 pounds and 13 ounces would have girt this world; and yet less than the 127 millionth part of this thread would have been distinctly visible, and must have contained other filaments still finer, each of which must have been composed of an indefinite number of smaller particles, themselves, in all probability of complex organization, and containing certainly, minuter atoms of carbon, besides those of gaseous matter.
If we employ the microscope, far greater wonders of divisibility than these appear, even in the complex organization of animal life. Ehrenberg has shown that tripoli, a mineral much used in the arts, is entirely composed of the siliceous shells of the microscopic animalcula, known as infusiorials, and that a single cubic inch of it contains at least forty-one thousand millions of these shells!—about fifty times as many individuals as there are of human beings on the globe. Yet each of these minute animals lived and fed; had digestive and circulative systems, with blood possessing globules as large, probably, in proportion, as those of ours, besides nerves of sensation and inclination, with brains belonging to them, together with muscles and every other mechanical apparatus for the extremely active locomotion and propagation which they so interestingly exhibit. And every new improvement in the microscope reveals new races of animals, apparently created for their own enjoyment, and of which millions heaped on millions, would be utterly invisible to the unaided eye.—These facts prove that things are great and small only by comparison with each other, and not in relation to infinity, with which no comparison can be instituted. And they prove, moreover, that vain, boastful, and bigoted man, is not the sole object of creation, nor of the profound benevolence, contrivance and design, with which it is universally replete.—Art's Echo.
IRON—ITS NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL COMBINATIONS WITH CARBON.
The question is often asked, what constitutes the difference between wrought iron, cast iron and steel?