14 JOURNAL OF THE 
Of course, we are quite at a loss to say just what chemical 
force is, but it is believed to be determined by the electrical 
condition of the atom. ‘Thus we have the elements which 
show the action of chemical affinity varying from strongly 
electro-positive to strongly negative. This electrical charge 
of the atom seems to be a primitive, inherent property, and 
so beyond our control or power tochange. At least no change 
of the kind has ever been recognized and recorded. Sodium 
remains positive and chlorine negative in spite of all that 
may be done to them. We can, by uniting the two tempo- 
rarily, cloak and neutralize their opposite natures, but the 
original condition returns on their release, 
Is it not fair to assume that argon, helium and’ their com- 
panion gases, having no affinity, are without electrical charge 
—atoms from which the electrical charge has been with- 
drawn; the deadest forms of inanimate matter? Were they 
thus without electro-chemical properties and affinity from the 
beginning, or did they start out as ordinary atoms (if I may 
so call them), and somehow, somewhere lose these properties, 
and with them the power of entering into union of any kind, 
even of forming molecules, doomed to unending single ex- 
istence? Can these be changed atoms of some of our well- 
known elements, a step nearer to the primal elements and 
with the electrical charge lost? Is it possible for us to bring 
about these changes? May we not unwittingly have done so 
at some time or other in the past? Is it possible to restore 
the electrical charge to such atoms, and so to place them once 
more on a footing of equality with elements of the conven- 
tional type? These and many other questions surge through 
the mind as one thinks of these wonderful gases. Perhaps 
the coming century will unfold the answers. 
