270 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY 



ous nitrate was then added to the dissolved residue, and it was treated 

 with hydrochloric acid in excess, to precipitate mercurous chloride. 

 The greater part of the active matter was thrown down with the mer- 

 curous chloride, hence it appears to form an insoluble chloride. The 

 mercurous chloride retained its activity unchanged in amount for ten 

 days. The nitrate from the mercurous chloride, on evaporation, 

 turned out to be active; and on precipitating mercuric sulphide in it, 

 the sulphide precipitate was also active; but its activity decayed in 

 one day. The nitrate from the mercuric sulphide gave inactive pre- 

 cipitates with ferric salts and ammonia, with zinc salts and ammo- 

 nium sulphide, with calcium salts and ammonium carbonate; and on 

 final evaporation, the residue was not radioactive. Hence the active 

 matter forms an insoluble chloride and sulphide. The precipitated 

 mercurous chloride and mercuric sulphide were dissolved in aqua 

 regia, and the solution was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in 

 water, and left the dish inactive. But the solution gave an insoluble 

 sulphate, when barium chloride and sulphuric acid were added to it ; 

 hence the radioactive element forms an insoluble sulphate, as well as 

 an insoluble chloride and sulphide. 



This is a sample of the experiments which have been made. It 

 may be remarked that the above results were obtained from a mix- 

 ture of the potash and soda glass; somewhat different results were 

 obtained from the potash glass alone. These changes appear to be 

 due to the conversion of one or more of the constituents of the glass 

 into other bodies. Needless to say, neither of the samples of glass 

 contained lead. 



I have mentioned these experiments in detail, because I think they 

 suggest wholly new lines of investigation. It would appear that if 

 energy can be poured into a definite chemical matter, such as glass, 

 it undergoes some change, and gives rise to bodies capable of being 

 tested for; I imagine that radioactive forms of matter are produced, 

 either identical with or allied to those at present known. And just 

 as radium and other radioactive elements suffer degradation sponta- 

 neously, evolving energy, so I venture to think that if energy be con- 

 centrated in the molecules of ordinary forms of matter, a sort of poly- 

 merization is the result, and radioactive elements, probably elements 

 with high atomic weight, and themselves unstable, are formed. Of 

 course further research may greatly modify these views; but some 

 guide is necessary, and Mr. Ternent Cook, who has helped me in these 

 experiments, and I, suggest this hypothesis (in the words of Dr. John- 

 stone Stoney, an hypothesis is " a supposition which we hope may be 

 useful ") to serve as a guide for future endeavor. 



In the light of such facts, speculation on the periodic arrangement 

 of the elements is surely premature. It is open to any one to make 

 suggestions; they are self-evident. Most of you will agree with the 



