No man can create, nor annihilate any particle of matter; but can decompose compound bodies, and by new combinations of their ingredients, form other bodies or substances, entirely different in their natures, properties, and appearances. All bodies are either simple, or are composed of simple substances; and no simple substance can be decomposed, nor materially changed but by combination with other bodies. Thus iron, in its pure and natural state, is hard, brilliant and very adhesive; but by its combination with caloric, it becomes fluid; combined with sulphur and oxygen, it becomes a transparent crystal; combined with oxygen along, but in different proportions, it appears in the form of red or yellow ochre; combined with the prussic acid, it becomes a deep blue, known as prussian blue; combined with sulphur, oxygen and hydrogen, it becomes transparent liquid; and the addition of a little gallic acid, again changes it to black ink. Plumbago, or black lead, is a combination of iron and carbon. Iron also enters into the composition of glass;-gives the red color to the blood of animals; and has been known to assume all the colors of the rainbow in regular order, by its combination with different proportions of oxygen and carbon, in a single piece of slate stone.

While on this subject, we shall give a few simple experiments, which may be readily performed by any person-will afford amusement as well as instruction to the scientific youth, and will further illustrate the importance of the science of chemistry.

To any small quantity of sulphuric acid, in a phial, add double the quantity of water, and as much of iron filings as the mixture will dissolve. When the iron is added, an ebullition will occur, in consequence of the liberation of hydrogen gas from the water. When the boiling has subsided, the liquid is supposed to be saturated with the iron, and may be poured or strained off from the sediment. With this solution, which is neutral and harmless, wet a piece of paper, and it will remain colorless when dry; but afterward wet the paper with a little solution of pearlash or saleratus, and it will change instantly to a deep and permanent buff yellow. Wet another part of the paper with a dilute solution of prussiate of potass, and it will be changed to a blue. Again wet other parts with colorless infusion of nut galls, and it will be changed to black or ink color. Put a small quantity of each of the three last mentioned liquids in three drinking glasses; then drop but a single drop of the solution of iron, into each of them, and the liquids will be instantly changed to blue, yellow and black.