162 THE STRUCTURE OF AN ATOM [CH. xvn. 



oxygen and hydrogen interlocked together in a gallon 

 of water ; in which water a few extra atoms of oxygen 

 might easily be dissolved, in a relatively free condi- 

 tion that is to say, not forming part of the fixed 

 constituent- oxygen just as a few outstanding elec- 

 trons may exist in the general mass of an atom. 



This is the hypothesis numbered 4 in that list of 

 alternative schemes which was exhibited in Chap. 

 XV.; and the latest results of Thomson, there also 

 mentioned, tend towards supporting it. 



If any lines of force are then postulated between 

 the constituent positive and negative fluids inside an 

 atom they would be entirely of an internal character, 

 and only those belonging to some free unbalanced 

 charges would emerge and produce ionic activities : 

 the internal lines of force would be wholly occupied 

 in holding the atom together, and would have no 

 influence on neighbouring atoms not even molecular 

 or residual influence. The main bulk of atom in 

 that case would be like a finely interleaved condenser, 

 incapable of discharge or of decomposition, except 

 by actual disintegration such as might occasionally 

 accompany or cause radio-activity. 



