Ether and Energy in Evolution of Matter 19 



70,000,000 1. of water decomposes hydrogen dioxide appreci- 

 ably, thus resembhng organic ferments, where a very small 

 quantity can effect a large amount of decomposition. An 

 even more striking analogy between the action of the colloidal 

 platinum and organic ferments is to be found in the effect of 

 certain poisons upon both of them. A very small amount of 

 certain substances will entirely destroy the activity of organic 

 ferments. Exactly the same was found to be the case with the col- 

 loidal solution of platinum. A gram-molecular weight of hydro- 

 cyanic acid in 1,000,000 1. of water diminished quite appreciably 

 the activity of the colloidal platinum toward hydrogen dioxide; 

 and a gram-molecular weight of hydrogen sulphide in 345,000 1. 

 water greatly diminished the activity of the platinum. A 

 gram-molecular weight of hydrogen-sulphide in 34,500 1. almost 

 destroyed the activity of the platinum." (16: 252) Finally 

 from the standpoint of molecular energy Burton (17: 443) 

 states that "there is practical unanimity in the opinion that 

 these particles in colloidal solutions are enclosed by a double 

 electric layer, the electricity of one sign on the surface of the 

 particle being in equilibrium with an equal amount of electricity 

 in the layer of hquid immediately surrounding the particle." 

 In a later chapter we shall have occasion to return to this 

 statement. 



When, therefore, we compare crystalloids ^4th colloids and 

 again compare inorganic colloids with those obtained from an 

 organic source, it does not seem to be an overstepping of the 

 bounds of prudence if we affirm that our most fundamental 

 knowledge of living bodies and of life itself will result from a 

 continued study of these colloid groups in their chemico-phys- 

 ical behavior. 



If we now attempt to sum up the conditions and relations 

 shown by ether atoms when united to form the material ele- 

 ments and their molecular compounds, it may be said that, 

 while most inorganic bodies are of crystalloid nature and be- 

 havior, a considerable and ever-increasing number that range 

 from comparatively simple states of elements to complex 

 compounds are non-crystalloid or colloid. These latter, when 



