Page:Ferrier Works vol 2 1888 LECTURES IN GREEK PHILOSOPHY.pdf/223

168 that can be conceived. Let us suppose it pounded to a pulp or powder more impalpable than any mince-meat; let us suppose this powder to become fluid, and then to be so stirred and mingled that all its particles, even down to a degree of tenuity far beyond what can be conceived, shall be mixed through and through each other; if we suppose this, it is obvious that we should obtain a mass of matter, each portion of which, however minute, would contain samples of all the ingredients which entered into the composition of the whole. To suppose otherwise—to suppose that each particle did not contain samples of all the ingredients—would be to suppose the amalgamation not perfectly effected. But we have supposed the amalgamation to be perfect; and, therefore, I say it is obvious that whatever portion, great or small, we take of this mass of matter, that portion will necessarily contain precisely the same ingredients, and the same number of ingredients, as are contained in any other portion of this same mass. In each particle, however great or however small, all the particles will be contained which enter into the composition of the whole mass. Now I conceive that any portion, big or little, of this mass would correspond to what Anaxagoras means by the . Suppose that ten thousand different kinds of matter, or that matter qualified in ten thousand different ways, went to compose our mass, in that case, if the mixture be complete—and we are supposing it complete—in that case each portion of the whole would