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.
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at Stockholm, 159; his slight appliances and large discoveries, 161; he reviews Dalton's atomic theory, 162; his views superseded by Avogadro's generalization, 165; he accepts law of isomorphism, 166; and Davy's discovery of chlorine, 204; his views on affinity of atoms, 209; his dual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.