Manchester Memoirs, Vol. hit. (1913), A^^. 1^. 11 



completely by hydrogen C of atmospheric air for more 

 than thirty years, when I discovered it in the arc spectrum 

 while engaged in another research.* 



As the transformation of radium into helium was first 

 effected, indirectly, through its hydrated halogen and oxy- 

 gen combinations in aqueous solutions, so would the anhy- 

 drous oxides of other members of the series H2« (and of 

 other series) be resolved into their ultimates through the 

 medium of their silicates, acting as solutions, during the 

 process of transmutation. 



All the silicates of the series H2//, and some of other 

 series, are easily vitrified in small quantities in laboratory 

 crucibles and appliances. Their spectra can then be 

 examined during electrification in tubes (under suitable 

 conditions of temperature and pressure) for the discovery 

 of new elements and the identification of those already 

 known. 



It may be laid down as a canon of chemical science, 

 that the members of any natural series of elements are 

 never transformed into the members and ultimates of any 

 other series. Thus neon is the permanent transformation 

 ultimate of the series H/// ; just as helium is the fixed 

 ultimate of the series Y{2n. Hence, also, helium and neon 

 will be evolved from the vitrified silicates of calcium and 

 barium. By the substitution of sodium and potassium 

 for calcium and barium in their vitrified silicates, the 

 transformation products would be neon and hydrogen, 

 but without helium. 



* Froc. Roy. Soc, 1S93. 



