and the Globular Form of Fluids. 345 



matter, consisting of globular atoms of different sizes, 

 having an attraction for each other in the direct proportion 

 of their bulk, or quantity of matter, and inversely as the 

 square of their distance ; and of light, consisting of globular 

 atoms, constantly separated by a repulsive force, regulated 

 by the same law of distance, uniform in size, and much 

 smaller than the atoms of matter ; for which they have an 

 attraction, also regulated, both with regard to distance and 

 dimensions, by the laws already mentioned. 



The light under the influence of these laws must sur- 

 round the atoms of matter, forming what we have called 

 an atmosphere about each atom, and this atmosphere will 

 be held in its position by various degrees of force, which 

 will draw the atoms of light nearer to each other as they 

 approach the atom of matter, and thus give it greater in- 

 tensity. The atmosphere, it is supposed, will be divided 

 into strata of different intensities, forming concentric 

 spheres ; every atom of light at equal distances from the 

 centre, being held in its position by equal forces. 



The point of saturation, under ordinary circumstances, 

 will be when the repulsive force of the light is sufficient to 

 counteract the attraction of the central atom of matter ; 

 when, with the exception of the attraction of the atoms of 

 matter for each other, forming the force of gravitation, the 

 atoms will be neutral ; the two opposing forces of attraction 

 and repulsion being equal at all distances. 



If, under these circumstances, an unlimited number of 

 atoms of equal size are brought together, although every 

 atom of light will act upon every other atom of light, 

 agreeably to the law of distance, precisely as if it were 

 unattached, it is evident that the atmospheres of the atoms 

 of matter will continue uniform, because the forces which 

 surround each of these atoms are every where equal. But, 

 if atoms of different sizes, and, consequently, with different 

 forces at the points of contact, are introduced to each 

 other, the superior force of the light of the positive atom 

 will repel the light of inferior force upon the negative 

 atom, and both classes will acquire positive and negative 

 surfaces on the opposite sides of the several atoms. 



If, for example, we bring an equal number of atoms of 

 oxygen and hydrogen together, the oxygen being positive 



