Stahlian chemistry dissipated like a morning mist

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Categories: Comparisons

An historical example of simile in a scientist's writing

"Thus, it was entirely of the omission of exact numerical determinations of quantity that the mistakes and confusion of the Stahlian chemistry were attributable, a confusion which dissipated like a morning mist as soon as precision, in this respect, came to be regarded as essential."

Sir John F. W. Herschel

Herschel, J. F. W. (1830). Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy.

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Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.