1053 



distribution such as migiit result from the above mentioned primary 

 conditions there may occur such a sudden reversion of the 

 velocities that soon afterwards the gas is compressed in a definite 

 corner of the vessel, a case which can hardlj' be imagined by our 

 fantasy. 



As long as similar questions are not solved the last mentioned 

 objection neither decides for or against our way of conception. 



§ 5. If our point of view were right, the physical laws accepted just 

 now would at all events prove to be only approximations, which in 

 the course of time would have to make place for other laws, which 

 again would prove to be good approximations for a limited time. 

 This is demanded by Poincarié's law, according to which the course 

 of mechanical processes of a finite system must be quasi-periodic. 



73 



Proceedings Royal Acad. Amsterdam Vol. XX. 



