68 



Dr. Macvic'Ae's Adaptation of the Philosophy of 



wholly destitute of an equator. But where there is one such couple 

 generated, there will usually be more than one ; and let two such meet 

 in dissimilar states, they will not fail immediately to unite, so as to 

 become each an equator to the other, that is, crosswise ; and thus there 

 will be generated a group of fom* particles of light or of sether, which, 

 when duly related to space under the law of assimilation, and viewed in 

 reference to the lines of force which join the four centres of force of 

 which it consists, is obviously an elementary tetrahedron, the centres of 

 ■force its angles, and the lines of force extending between them its edges. 

 Here, then, we have already a form which, viewed in reference to its 

 nucleus, is cellular, and in reference to its invest- 

 ing atmosphere, is spherical ; and which, there- 

 fore, under the law of assimilation, is in these 

 respects pei'fect and ultimate. But such is 

 its peculiarity, that viewed in reference to the 

 same law, it is also merely rudimentary and hemi- 

 rcorphic. If we say that it has an equator, then 

 it has only one pole ; if we say that it has 

 two poles (composed each of two centres of 

 foi'ce), then it has no equator. Each of its constituent forces, in 

 fact, has three, and not one opposite to it. The law of assimila- 

 tion, therefore, is not fulfilled even as to its most urgent condition. 

 The form has not similar poles. But this condition may be fulfilled 

 by the attachment of a single particle of light, or an elementary 

 force opposite the centre of any of its four faces. And this, there- 

 fore, under many conditions of existence, we may expect it to take to 

 itself from the sether. And thus we obtain a molecular species, whose 

 atmosphere may be spherical, though naturally somewhat prolate (see 

 the black portion of fig. H), and whose nucleus may be described 

 as a triangular double pyramid or bipyramid. And 

 this we may look for both in nature and the labo- 

 ratory. 



But what must its properties be, and how shall 

 we be able to compare them with those of known 

 substances ? To this it is to be answered, that as 

 yet we have nothing to compare it with but the 

 medium of light. But in reference to its relation 

 to light this appears, that it must repel in a very 

 high degree rays incident upon it (HI.) ; for each 

 of its parts consists of single particles of light ; in 

 other words, between it and the medium of light 

 there is the greatest amount of assimilation, the greatest amount of 



H 



