Preface

The history of chemistry, in its entire scope, has always been very dark and incomplete. As much as has been undertaken in modern times to clarify it, this has only concerned individual branches; and for all the fine experiments that have become known, very little effort has been made to compare the ancients with the moderns, and to draw a parallel between the two *). This would at least have prevented much from being considered new and unknown, about which the ancients already thought better. If we seek to acquire a general and

*) For examples of this, see my dissertation "On Castor Oil &c." original: "Diss. de Oleo Ricini &c." p. 1. §. 1. 2. 3. &c.