1887.] on Genesis of the Elements. 57 



below boron, a triatomic element, and, therefore, nitrogen is likewise 

 triatomic. But nitrogen also follows upon carbon, a tetratomic body, 

 and occupies the fifth position if we count from the place of origin. 

 Now these seemingly opposing tendencies are beautifully harmonised 

 by the endowment of nitrogen with a double atomicity, its atom being 

 capable of acting either as a tri- or as a pentatomic element. With 

 oxygen (di- and hexatomic) and fluorine (mon- and heptatomic) the 

 same law holds good, and one half-oscillation of the pendulum is 

 completed. Passing the neutral line again, we find successively 

 formed the electro-positive bodies sodium (monatomic), magnesium 

 (diatomic), aluminium (triatomic), and silicon (tetratomic). 



Here we may notice a curious coincidence ; at the beginning of 

 this part of the curve stands carbon, the most ubiquitous element in 

 the organic world. At the end, in opposition, stands silicon, the 

 most commonly occurring element in the inorganic sphere. Further, 

 as we move towards the median line, carbon is successively followed 

 by nitrogen, oxygen, and fluorine, all entering into organic com- 

 pounds and all gaseous in the free state. If we work back from 

 silicon we find aluminium, magnesium, and sodium, all much less 

 disposed to volatility, and all very prominent members of the mineral 

 kingdom. 



The first complete swing of the pendulum is accomplished by tho 

 birth of the three electro-negative efements, phosphorus, sulphur, and 

 chlorine ; all three, like the corresponding elements on the opposite 

 homeward swing, having at least a double atomicity, depending on 

 position. 



Let us pause and examine the results. We have now formed the 

 elements of water, of air, of ammonia, of carbonic acid, of plant and 

 animal life ; we have phosphorus for the brain, salt for the sea, clay 

 and sand for the solid earth ; two alkalies, an alkaline earth, an 

 earth, along with their carbonates, borates, nitrates, fluorides, 

 chlorides, sulphates, phosphates, and silicates, sufficient, it may be 

 said, for animal and vegetable life, and for a world not so very 

 different from that in which we live and move. 



Again let us follow our pendulum. After the formation of 

 chlorine this pendulum touches the neutral line, and is in the same 

 position as in the beginning. Had everything remained as at first 

 the next element to appear would again have been lithium, and the 

 original cycle would have been eternally reiDcated, producing again 

 and again the same fifteen elements. The conditions, however, are 

 no longer the same : time has elapsed and the form of energy re- 

 presented by the vertical line has declined ; in other words, the 

 temperature has sunk, and the first element to come into existence 

 when the pendulum starts for its second oscillation is not lithium, 

 but the metal next allied to it in the series, i. e. potassium, which may 

 be regarded as the lineal descendant of lithium, with the same 

 hereditary tendencies, but with less molecular mobility and a higher 

 atomic weight. 



