HEAT. 59 



., in all the phenomena which they exhibit, are 

 biased by the slightest influences, to an extent that few of our 

 physicists even dream of. 



In all natural action, the atoms, in order to assume their 

 atomic position that, is, regarding their polarity to each other, 

 which affects their form and disposition, their transparency and 

 opacity must have perfect rest and an even temperature. The 

 typical form of atomic action, may be likened to a glistening 

 !;er thread springing from earth to heaven, and which if 

 undisturbed, becomes as an endless gleam of silver, straight, 

 pure, and transparent ; but it is so sensitive to motion, that the 

 slightest zephyr that blows, will twist and turn it, and cause it 

 to become knotted and ragged. Laboratory experiments are 

 therefore like unto the last, for the action being in nearly all 

 instances forced, the chemists see only these knots and rags, 

 and argue from them. We believe, therefore, that more good 

 would result, and more truths would be discovered, if physicists 

 would appeal more to nature, and confine themselves mainly to 

 a scrutiny of experiments conducted by nature herself, in her 

 Alpine Glaciers, her stalaclitic grottoes, and her forest dells of 

 ferns and flowers ; for every one could then test for himself the 

 truth of the theory propounded, without the aid of expensive 

 and delicate apparatus. 



"While, however, we object to the common practice of 

 theorizing, and basing grave laws of science on forced results 

 obtained from in-door experiments, we have no objection to 

 their endeavouring to prove by such tests, the truth of pro- 

 blems found and solved in nature, yet we fear that our 

 physicists generally proceed in a contrary manner. The 

 crusade against the present system of science therefore, will 



