78 The Scieniific Year. [Jan., 



been more evidence of a clesii-e for victory than for the elimination 

 of truth. 



Physical Science has its numerous workers, who, devoting them- 

 selves to its various branches, are opening out roads to future 

 discoveries which will possibly be of considerable importance. 

 The examination of the radiant powers is being followed up with 

 much zeal, and many trained minds, peculiarly fitted by nature for 

 the work, are eagerly seeking for the solution of many problems 

 which still remain unsolved in relation to heat and Hght radiations 

 and electrical manifestations. Without for a moment venturing to 

 question the truth of the undulatory theory (the weight of talent 

 and testimony brought to bear on it is too overpowering to admit of 

 that), we cannot but express a fear that the interpretation of some 

 of the phenomena of solar radiations has been retarded, by refusing 

 to see any explanation save that which belongs to wave-motion, , 

 To this circumstance may be referred the almost entu-e absence of 

 research on the chemical powers of sunshine. Many important 

 facts, as they now stand, do not appear to come within the law of 

 undulations (they may possibly be shown to do so), and hence they 

 have been put aside. Thus one of the most fertile fields of inquiry 

 — the chemical activity of the solar radiations (Actinism) — rich with 

 the promise of discoveries of high value, is entirely neglected by the 

 experimentalists of the present day. This is, it must be admitted, 

 partly due to another circumstance. As soon as the chemical action 

 of the sun's rays had been rendered so familiar to the most un- 

 trained operator that he could, from the sensibility and simplicity 

 of the processes given to him, scarcely fail to produce a jDhoto- 

 graphic picture of much excellence, and the science became an art, 

 the scientific investigator drew aside, as though he disliked to admit 

 that he was seeking after truth for its money value. Here is, 

 however, a vast inquiry bearing in a dkect and remarkable manner 

 on organic growth and on morganic combination, which Hes 

 fallow. 



The investigations on the Osmose forces advance certainly 

 towards a solution of the mysteries of molecular attraction, and 

 particularly of the phenomena of the action of surfaces. The 

 indications of an uncontrollable power, dissimilar to any of the 

 physical forces already named, are unmistakable. A power — a 

 force — which can overcome the gigantic attraction of the earth's 

 gravitation, and which can break up, by mere mechanical efllbrt, 

 the strongest chemical affinities, must bo amongst the most 

 potential of the physical agencies. At present it appears to us 

 that the full value has not been given to the discoveries made by 

 Graham, Dcville, and others in this direction. A remarkable 

 scries of facts has been accumulated ; they have been investigated 

 with the most perfect appliances of induction ; and the results 



