102 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



must, therefore, be a self-closed line, or else it must terminate on an 

 electron and a co-electron. 



So far we have only considered the electron at rest. If, however, 

 it moves, it can be mathematically demonstrated that it must give 

 rise to a second form of ether strain which is related to the electric 

 strain as a twist is related to a thrust or a vortex ring to a squirt in 

 liquid or a rotation to a linear progression. The ether strain which 

 results from the lateral movement of lines of electric strain is called 

 the magnetic -flux, and it can be mathematically shown that the move- 

 ment of an electron, consisting when at rest of a radial convergence of 

 lines of electric strain, must be accompanied by the production of self- 

 closed lines of magnetic flux, distributed in concentric circles or rings 

 round it, the planes of these circles being perpendicular to the direction 

 of motion of the electron. 



This electronic hypothesis, therefore, affords a basis on which we 

 can build up a theory affording an explanation of the nature of the 

 intimate connection known to exist between ether, matter and elec- 

 tricity. The electron ^is the connecting link between them all, for it 

 is in itself a center of convergent ether strain; isolated, it presents 

 itself as electricity of the negative or resinous kind; and, in combina- 

 tion with co-electrons and other electrons, it forms the atoms of ponder- 

 able matter. At rest the electron or the co-electron constitutes an 

 electric charge, and when in motion it is an electric current. A steady 

 flux or drift of electrons in one direction and co-electrons in the oppo- 

 site direction is a continuous electric current, whilst their mere oscilla- 

 tion about a mean position is an alternating current. Furthermore, 

 the vibration of an electron, if sufficiently rapid, enables it to estab- 

 lish what are called electric waves in the ether, but which are really 

 detached and self-closed lines of ether strain distributed in a periodic 

 manner through space. 



We have, therefore, to start with, three conceptions concerning the 

 electron, viz : Its condition when at rest ; its state when in uniform 

 motion; and its operations when in vibration or rapid oscillation. In 

 the first case, by our fundamental supposition, it consists of lines of 

 ether strain of a type called the electric strain, radiating uniformly in 

 all directions. When in uniform motion, it can be shown that these 

 lines of electric strain tend to group themselves in a plane perpendicu- 

 lar to the line of motion drawn through the electron, and their lateral 

 motion generates another class of strain called the magnetic strain, 

 disposed in concentric circles described round the electron and lying 

 in this equatorial plane. 



The proof of the above propositions can not be given verbally, but 

 requires the aid of mathematical analysis of an advanced kind. The 



