Gl/73 



PREFACE. 



" Show me a man who makes no mistakes, and I will show you a 

 man who has done nothing." LlEBIG. 



IN this little volume the author gives but his 

 own personal opinions upon the subjects discussed, 

 and although the sentiments are expressed with 

 an assurance born of conviction, yet he claims not 

 infallibility. 



He has ever been unable to accept the usual 

 explanations of the great physical forces ; and the 

 inadequacies of mooted theories have impelled 

 him to efforts for more philosophical interpreta- 

 tions. If in his investigations he has been forced 

 to strange and unusual conclusions, he has been 

 actuated only by an honest desire to promote the 

 advancement of science. 



He is not insensible to the responsibility of the 

 position which he thus voluntarily assumes, in 

 asserting his opinions upon problems so vast and 

 momentous. 



It is no enviable position to occupy, that of 



