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NOMINALISM NONSUIT 479 compelled to learn two sets of figures, the dualistic of Berzelius and the unitary of mod- ern times. The departures from traditional English usage in the names of compounds are made to correspond with the changes in nota- tion, and are chiefly verbal. A few illustra- tions will suffice to make this point clear : Carbonate of potash. Bicarbonate of potash. Sulphate of zinc. Protosulphate of iron. Persulphate of iron. Anhydrous sulphuric acid. Carbonic acid. Potassium carbonate. Hydrogen potassium carb'ate. Zinc sulphate. Ferrous sulphate. Ferric sulphate. Sulphuric anhydride. Carbon dioxide. In the case of the complicated bodies belonging to organic chemistry, the assumption of com- pound radicles and other peculiar views of ra- tional constitution have led chemistry to con- struct various new names, which are to be learned in the writings where they are pro- pounded. Atomicity is a term much em- ployed by modern chemists to denote the equivalent value or combining capacity of an element. It is measured by the number of atoms of hydrogen or other monatomic or univalent element with which the element in question can combine. When an element does not unite with hydrogen, as in the case of many of the metals, its atomicity may be measured by the number of atoms of chlorine, bromine, or iodine with which it can combine, since the atomicity of the elements is equal to that of hydrogen. The atomicity or combining capacity is in most cases a variable quality; and chemists have found it convenient to divide the elements into two classes, one of odd, the other of even equivalence. Those of odd equivalence are called perissads, those of even equivalence artiads ; e. g. : perissads nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, gold ; artiads oxygen, sulphur, selenium, tellurium, barium, calcium, magnesium, tin, &c. The fact that the older nomenclature has been so long in use among chemists, pharmacists, phy- sicians, and manufacturers, and that so vast a mass of literature has been written in accord- ance with it, has made scientific men very re- luctant to abandon it. But the new facts and theories continually brought forward as the sci- ence advances require a change in classification and language; and the greater truth of modern chemistry must ultimately compel the adoption of the new notation and nomenclature. NOMINALISM. See PHILOSOPHY. NONCONFORMISTS, a name sometimes given to dissenters from the church of England, but more particularly applied to the clergymen who gave up their livings on the passage of the act of uniformity in 1662. An act of uniformity was passed in 1558, but was only partially enforced for seven years, most of those who refused to conform to the ceremonies of the church still remaining within it. At the first convocation of the clergy in 1561, a motion to 608 VOL. xii. 31 do away with the ceremonies objectionable to the Puritans was lost by a majority of one only ; and this rejection was due to the strong influ- ence of Queen Elizabeth and the primate, and to the fear that the change would relieve Eoman Catholic nonconformists as well as Protestants. In 1565 the law began to be more rigidly en- forced, and many nonconformists were deprived of their preferments, and many were impris- oned. In 1593 an act was passed to enforce conformity of the laity, requiring attendance at the parish church of all persons over 16 years of age, upon pain of banishment, and of death for continued disobedience. James I., though educated a Presbyterian, enforced the laws against nonconformity with great severity, and his policy was adhered to by Charles I. Under the protectorate the nonconformists enjoyed the right of worship without molestation, and Episcopacy in its turn was proscribed. The restoration witnessed the reestablishment of the old church polity, and the revival of the penal laws against the dissenters. A new act of uniformity was passed in 1662, restoring all the ancient forms and ceremonies of the estab- lished church, and requiring that every bene- ficed minister, every fellow of a college, and even every schoolmaster, should declare his assent to all and everything contained in the u Book of Common Prayer," and that no one should hold any preferment without episcopal ordination. For their unwillingness to con- form to the requirements of this act, 2,000 cler- gymen were obliged to give up their livings, and it was at this time that the title of noncon- formists came into use. The "Declaration of Indulgence " of James II. afforded a temporary relief to the nonconformists; but it was not until the reign of William and Mary that they enjoyed real toleration, and even from this those who denied the Trinity were excepted. (See DISSENTERS.) NONSUIT (L. Fr. nonsue, non suist, modern Fr. non suit, Lat. non sequitur, he does not pursue), in law, a judgment given against a plaintiff in default of evidence, or for neglect to proceed with a cause after it has been put at issue. A plaintiff may find after commen- cing his action that he cannot maintain it for want of evidence. In order therefore to pre- vent a verdict and judgment which will be not only probably unfavorable to him, but also a bar to further process upon the same cause of action, he may abandon his suit and defer its complete prosecution until he is prepared with fuller testimony ; in other words, he becomes nonsuit. This he may do at any time before verdict, unless an exercise of his right will wrong the defendant. If he fails to appear for the trial of his cause, the crier usually in open court calls upon him to come in and prosecute it; and if he does not, he is noted upon the docket as nonsuit, the action is at an end, and the defendant recovers his costs against him. If the plaintiff has once appeared, it seems to be the English rule, and that of many of the