it appear through any the least Pores; which argues, that even in this exceeding thinness very many of those Atoms may still lie one over the other: Which is a Consideration may merit the Thoughts of this Honourable Society, as tending to examine that renowned Atomical Doctrine, which has of late much obtain'd among the Learned.
An Account of the several Species of Infinite Quantity , and of the Proportions they bear one to the other; as it was read before the Royal Society , by E. Halley .
THAT all Magnitudes infinitely great, or such as exceed any assignable Quantity, are equal among themselves, though it be vulgarly received for a Maxim, is not yet so common as it is erroneous; and the Reason of the mistake seems to be, That the Mind of Man, coming to contemplate the Extensions of what exceeds the bounds of its Capacity, and of which the very Idea does include a Negation of Limits; it comes to pass that we acquiesce generally, and it suffices to say such a Quantity is infinite.
But if we come more nearly to examine this Notion, we shall find, that there are really besides infinite Length and infinite Area, no less than three several sorts of infinite Solidity; all of which are Quantitates sui generis, having no more relation or proportion the one to the other, than a Line to a Plane, or a Plane to a Solid, or a Finite to an Infinite. But that among themselves, each of those Species of Infinites are in given Proportions, is what I now intend to make plain, if possible.
But first, infinite Length, or a Line infinitely long, is to be considered either as beginning at a Point, and so infinitely extended one way, or else both ways from the same Point; in which case the one, which is a beginning infinity, is the one half of the whole, which is the Summ of the beginning and ceasing Infinity; or, as I may say, of Infinity, à parte ante, and à parte post: Which is analogous to Eternity in Time or Duration, in which there is always as much to follow as is