1914] Editoriais 53 ^ 



engine. Bohr has gone further, and concelved a similar model of 

 a water molecule with the two nuclei of hydrogen and one nucleus 

 of oxygen in a straight line, with ten electrons revolving in their 

 zones around them. No doubt these suggestive schemes are some- 

 what speculative, but it is refreshing to find a first approximation to 

 a dynamical scheme replacing the old unsatisfactory electrostatic 

 atoms, which probably did not approximate to the truth. Some of 

 the formidable organic molecules must have a complexity which it 

 may take generations of physicists to unravel. 



It has been found that when a radiant emits an alpha particle or 

 heHum nucleus, the chemical properties of the newly formed radiant 

 differ f rom the old. A f resh dement is formed, a different valency 

 results, and the new radiant, relative to the old, is two columns to 

 the left in the periodic table. The atomic number has decreased 2, 

 and the atomic weight about 4. But when a radiant ejects a betd 

 particle or electron, again there is a new radiant with different 

 valency and chemical properties, but there is a move of one column 

 to the right in the periodic table ; a gain of one in the atomic number 

 and no change in the atomic weight. (Eye: Science, 19 14, xl, pp. 

 1 15-120.) 



Simple minds are contented with mystic Solutions, with an illu- 

 sory play of words. Men of science investigate with an open mind 

 and are satisfied with their work, which, if slow, is certainly pro- 

 gressive. But the mediocre mind wishes to know 

 emar s on researc gyerything without much trouble, and has a 

 Strange longing for prompt and safe formulas. Such men are the 

 predestined victims of prejudice and scientific quackery. (Lu- 

 garo: Jour. Amer. Med. Assoc, 1914, Ixii, p. 134.) 



The man of science should be the first to admit that science can 

 not attain to a complete und erst anding of anything. The explana- 

 tion of any phenomenon only uncovers new phenomena behind it 

 that still demand explanation, in endless succession; and such is the 



