I 4 FORMS OF MATTER. 



As, however, there are two theories of 

 the primal origin of protoplasm ; first, that 

 it was specially created already alive ; 

 second, that it was developed by the ordinary 

 processes of evolution ; let us examine the 

 subject for ourselves : for this purpose it 

 will be well to inquire into the origin and 

 nature of matter itself and its various 

 forms. 



THE ORIGIN AND NATURE OF MATTER AND 

 ITS VARIOUS FORMS. 



It has of course been long known that 

 the earth is a ball of matter, in different 

 forms metals, earths, solids, fluids, gases ; 

 that these are each made up of very small 

 particles, called " molecules " ; extremely 

 minute, much too minute indeed to be 

 detected by our most powerful microscope ; 

 and that even these molecules themselves 

 are made up of still more minute particles 

 called " atoms." 



Molecules are the smallest particles of 

 the special forms of matter, and they are 

 made up of atoms of the primitive matter. 



Many scientists hold that atoms are 

 probably hard, solid particles, which do not 

 cohere together ; do not even touch one 

 another. They suppose that each atom is 



