Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-01-04
TRAEsToRMATTJEs AND PROPER
uEs OF MATTER.
~ rnnN 7. GEARY. V. D.

we must look for the greatness OF ni''''el
n It's impalpable and impercePtible mole
,ules, which singly, or in combination
produce results equally grand, whether
their sphere Of action be the orbit Of .
planet, or the primitive Hucieol'is, in the
composition Of one Of that singular race
Of beings Of which three hundred thou
sand or, ~. equal in bulk to grain oil
sard The vast body of atmosphere which
our globe, extending above its
surface to the height of thirty four or five
miles, exertinga pressure equal to fifteen
pounds upon every square inch Of sur
face with which It comes in contact, which
is as much a substance as stone, iron, or
steel. admitting Of being condensed, ez-
pandcd, heated, cooled, weighed and
measured. Is composed Of articles so in
initeIy small that it is imperceP;ible not
only TO the naked eye, but to the most
powerful microscopes yet invented; even
when submitted in its largest masses and
condensed to the utmost powers of me-
chanical eontriyancel And even the
next substance in density to atmosphere
and gaseous bodies in general, 1cater, tho
clearly proved to be composed Of glob-
uIes which admit the gl0bules Of other
bodies Of greater density between them
without any increase in volume or bulk.
so that a considerable quantity Of salt OF
sugar may be added toa full glass Of wa
ter without Overlooking the vessel; and
n pin; Of spirits of wine mixed with an
equal quantity Of water, will fall short Of
a quart-does not reveal to our closest
scrutiny It's molecular particles.
But let US interrogate matter directly
and little more in detail, with tie ez-
detrimental philosopher and the cbemis.
as our Interpreters; let US submit our
wants-cither those Of utility or curious
and interesting speculatioa--n0te her an
swers, and turn to acc0unt the supplies
she is ready to grant
Every one has felt the big round
drop" of perspiration gather upon hi.
heated forehead and roll down his face
whence does it come? 1t has forced it.
way through no less than oue hundred
and twenty-five little fountains Che ori
ices Of the sudoriparous glands,) which
one grain Of sand would cover.
How large was the seed that produced
that lycoperion, or pufF5aH? We Lav,
played vih it in OUT boyish days. Tt,
diameter Of a single hair Is about one
hundred and twenty-five thousand time.
as great as the organised germ which pro
dlced that little puii-ball! You press i
between your iingers,-but mind you
eyes and the direction OF the wind-sec
what a cloud of seeds it produces, eaci
particle viii produce q lycoperdon. if +
fall upon fruitful soil-how many puff
balls would these millions Of millions tha
float in the suubeams bring forth?
know not-let him who's bold in lis pos
tive dcnials of The active powers Of small
PARTICLES Of matter give the answer
Ask that pcr.umaj dandy-d5ctor t.,
source Of that odor which he diE1se
wherever his presence comes; he maj
reply, occupy a chamber twelve fec
square; in a drawer. which 1 keep a lit
he open. I have deposited a single graii
Il mas;: tie atmosphere in NY room
which find to be more than two mill
ions Of cubic inches, is perfumed by MI
grain Of musk, and there are many thou
sands Of particles in each cubic inch anl
ihe air is ever changing. Now for many
years I have enjoyed tbs nasal luxury
and my grain Of musk Is not perceptibly
diminished in bulk, though it would %
difficult to calculate the number Of par.
ucles Of real, actual matter which hay,
escaped from It in that time"
How thin is this gold leaf? There +
no estimate nearer than that we fin,
three hundred and sixty thousand sucI
leaves, laid one over the other. woul,
measure an inch ia thickness And tina
s-ta o. gold may be beaten out so a
10 covcra Hrface measuring fifty souar
inches. Tine ingenious wire-drawer will
sixteen ounce Of gold, will engage Il
supply silver gilt wire enough to cireum
scribe the whole globe! And that ,rir,
viii be as nue. gold, and look as 0,ne,
IKE gold, as the mighty cable chains an.
enormous siguet-rings which decorate ON
dandies! Go, inlerrogate the sheen. III.
siiA-worm and the spider-the sheen saw.
a pound Of my fleece may be spun 8,
line az to extend ninety-fye miles! tIa
silk-worm declares that pound Of III.
hOres she produces will extend 70 tn
distance Of five hundred and eighty-thre,
miles! but the spidereTeeps in and claim
The golden medal g for Gne thread b,
producing pound that will pleasure til.
equatorial circumference Of the eartb1
There is a subtle iuid which peryade
'le universe runs through the compost