320 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. $2 



V. THEORETICAL DISCUSSION AND EXPLANATION. 

 i. constitution of the rays. 



What are the Canal Rays? 



Not Roentgen rays, do not affect photographic plate: Ar(327) ; GR(726). 



Not cathode rays, much greater mass: 601(717). 



Identical with first cathode layer particles: 01(692, 699); Wh2(423) ; 

 Sm4(i09). Prolongation of cathode afflux: Vi ; 

 Wh2(422) ; Bgi(692). 



Consist mostly of positively charged gas atoms, together with some 

 metal atoms from electrodes, according to Doppler effect : 

 Or; W4(42i) ; Ew3(3i6) ; W5(56i, 263). 



Always contain some rays with same mass as hydrogen atom, as shown 

 by magnetic deflection: Tm3(575). Hydrogen seems to 

 iplay a unique role in discharge tube phenomena : V2 ; 

 V4. These singly charged H atoms and molecules may 

 form the greater part of the rays even at high pressures : 



Hl3(235). 



At extremely low pressures, consist mostly of two kinds of particles, 

 singly charged hydrogen atoms and molecules, irrespec- 

 tive of the gas filling the tube: Tm3(575) ; Tm6(29S). 

 Professor J. J. Thomson's results seem to prove that various gases 

 under the action of strong electric fields in extreme 

 vacuum, give off identical carriers of positive electricity: 

 Tm3(575); Tm6(295). 



Similar to a-rays : Ew3(3io). 



Place of Origin. 



In gas beyond cathode dark space: W3(45i) ; W4(422) ; 63(207); 

 Si(i33, 507); S4(6o2); Ew3(30i). 



Theory: Gas molecules ionized by cathode rays or positive rays from 

 anode, start to move along a line of force, acquire con- 

 siderable velocity, forming the cathode afflux, and shoot 

 through the canals, forming the canal rays: 84(602). 

 See diagram of lines of force in canals: Si ( 134. S08). 



Not on cathode front surface or in canals because of shadows cast: 

 Wh2; cf. Gi(699); Gr; Ew3(299). 



Not in dark space, since there is no ionization there and they could 

 not acquire sufificient velocity: 82(583); Ps2(257) ; 

 Ew3(307). 



Not an anode: Ewi(i93) ; Ew3(30o) ; cf. Bg(696) ; 601(717). 



Explanation of Non-Homogeneity (shown by non-uniform magnetic deflec- 

 tion). 



Not due to variations of velocity, slower rays would be more deflected, 

 not less: 82(583); Ps3(257) ; Ew3(307). 



Must be due to continuous variation of e/m since deflection streak is not 

 fluted at ordinary pressures: Tm3(569, 572). 



Assumption that e or m or both may be integral multiples of unit charge 

 and unit mass (the H atom) respectively, is not 

 sufficient: 82(583); Ps2(255) ; cf. W9(669, 675); Gr. 



