STATEMENT No. 11. 



The fundamental factor in the formation of molecule*, 

 vnder the influence of Ether, is the selective and 

 combining power of the strongest species of atoms. 



THE following experiment is very suggestive. We take 

 a magnet and present to it a piece of nickel. It seizes 

 the nickel, which adheres to it. Now we present to 

 the magnet a piece of iron, and then the magnet seizes 

 the iron, holds it, and drops the nickel. And it will not 

 again take up the nickel until the iron is removed. 

 The steel magnet consists of minute objects atoms; 

 the iron is the same, and so is the nickel. It must 

 follow, that under normal atmospheric conditions steel 

 atoms when magnetic have a greater selective power 

 or grip over iron than over nickel. Of course, in this 

 case the steel or nickel will not be pure, therefore 

 they are not solely atomic, but other molecules are 

 mixed with the atoms. We must keep in mind that 

 probably all substances are magnetic, although in a 

 very slight degree. 1 



Now this experiment illustrates what we have just 

 explained as the selective power of atoms, only it 

 differs from our previous illustrations in the fact that 

 there is no chemical combination. It is interesting to 



i "Modern Views of Electricity," Prof. 0. J. Lodge, F.R.S., &c., 

 1892, p. 314. 



