538 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



ceived how, if this train of reasoning be sound, the inorganic is directly 

 linked to the organic world, just as the imperceptible forms of matter 

 were shown to be linked to its perceptible forms, and the elementary 

 states to the composite states, in one continuous and unbroken chain. 

 It remains to point out to what extent the hypothesis here advanced, of 

 the probable genesis of the chemical elements, is found to be in har- 

 mony with the recent discoveries which Mr. J. Norman Lockyer has 

 made by means of the spectroscope in the domain of chemistry. In 

 endeavoring to do this in the briefest manner possible, let us reproduce 

 the following diagram drawn up by him : 



Hottest stars, ) ^ H + Ca -|- Mg 



Sun, V Lines of ] H + Ca + Mg + Na f Fe 



Cooler stars, ) ( Mg + Na + Fe + Bi + Hg. 



Coolest, Fluted bands of , etc. 



Modified in the arrangement only to suit the present discussion, the 

 first part of this diagram may be presented as follows : 



Cooler stars. 



Sun. 



/' 



Hottest stars. 



1 24 40 23 56 200 208 

 H 4- Mg + Ca + Na + Fe + Hg + Bi 

 1 13 20 23 28 100 208 



The figures placed over the symbols are the respective atomic 

 weights of the elements according to the new system, those placed be- 

 neath being the same according to the old system. Transposing cal- 

 cium and magnesium merely for the sake of symmetry, their position 

 being indifferent, since both appear in the hottest stars, we find that 

 with a single exception, that of sodium, if we take the new system, and 

 without exception, if we take the old system, the atomic weights in- 

 crease as the temperature of the body diminishes. To what extent 

 this result may be accidental it is of course impossible to say, but, so 

 far as it may have any scientific significance, it constitutes an interest- 

 ing confirmation of the theory that the heavier elements with large 

 molecules have been developed out of the lighter ones with small 

 molecules during the progress of the condensation and refrigeration of 

 the heavenly bodies, and according to which, as above pointed out, 

 those possessing the largest equivalents would be last formed and 

 gradually pass into the known compounds by a corresponding gradual 

 decrease of stability, these latter to be succeeded in turn by the evolu- 

 tion of organic aggregates which ushered in the era of life. 



Generalizing from all that has been said, we may divide the known 



