Delusion, an error arising from false views.

     Apparatus, a complete set of instruments or tools, by
     which anything is made, or any operation performed.

Was any gold ever produced by this method?

Not a particle; the story of a stone having the property of converting the baser metals into gold being merely an absurd fable:  yet, although the pursuits of Alchemy were the most preposterous that can be conceived, the ardor with which they were followed, and the amazing number of experiments made in consequence, led to the discovery of many facts to which Chemistry is highly indebted.

     Preposterous, absurd, foolish; contrary to nature or
     reason.

You inform me that Chemistry enables us to discover the properties of bodies by means of analysis and combination:  what do these terms imply?

If a chemist wishes to examine the properties of a compound body, he proceeds by analysis—­that is, by a separation of the substance to be examined into its constituent parts.  The chemical examination of bodies is generally effected by producing a change in the nature or state of the body under examination.  This change is frequently brought about by the addition of some other substance which forms a combination with a part of the substance examined, and leaves the remainder in a detached state.

By what means do Chemists effect a change in the qualities or states of natural bodies?

It is generally effected by means of heat, which has a tendency to separate the particles of bodies from each other; or by the mixture or combination of some other matter with the matter intended to be examined.  The mixture of two or more compounds often produces a decomposition by means of chemical affinity, a property which different species of matter have to unite with each other; and which is sometimes called elective affinity.  Thus it may be observed, chemists have not only the power of decomposing natural bodies, but of producing by combination various other substances, such as are not found in the kingdom of nature.

What do you mean by decomposition?

In chemical language, it means the separation of a compound body into its simple elements.

Give me an example.

Water may be decomposed, and reduced into oxygen and hydrogen,—­both of them simple substances incapable of further decomposition.

Is not the work of decomposition perpetually going forward?

Yes; and combustion is one of the great agents in this work.  By it animal and vegetable substances are converted into water and carbonic acid, by the union of their hydrogen and carbon with the oxygen of the air.  These, in time, are again absorbed by vegetables, and again decomposed to set the oxygen at liberty to produce fresh combustions.