Note 25 — Chapter IV

“The divisibility of matter is great beyond the power of imagination, but we have no reason for asserting that it is infinite; for the demonstrations which have sometimes been adduced in favour of this opinion are obviously applicable to space only. The infinite divisibility of space seems to be essential to the conception that we have of its nature, and it may be strictly demonstrated that it is mathematically possible to draw an infinite number of circles between any given circle and its tangent, none of which shall touch either of them except at the general point of contact; and that a ship following always the same oblique course with respect to the meridian,—for example, sailing north-eastwards,—would continue perpetually to approach the pole without ever completely reaching it. But when we inquire into the truth of the old maxim of the schools, that all matter is infinitely divisible, we are by no means able to decide so positively. Newton observes that it is doubtful whether any human means may be sufficient to separate the particles of matter beyond a certain limit; and it is not impossible that there may be some constitution of atoms, or single corpuscles, on which their properties, as matter, depend, and which would be destroyed if the units were further divided; but it appears to be more probable that there are no such atoms, and even if there are, it is almost certain that matter is never thus annihilated in the common course of matter.”—The Essential Properties of Matter: Young’s Natural Philosophy; ed. by Rev. P. Kelland.