EVOLUTION THE MASTER-KEY 



matter are not conserved, but are impermanent 

 not merely from second to second, but from one- 

 millionth of a second to another. By the action 

 of causes yet dimly guessed these electrons are 

 constantly flying out from the atomic system, 

 and pass, at speeds comparable with that of light, 

 outward to an unknown fate. 



Here, as the acute reader will observe, I have 

 an excellent opportunity of begging the question. 

 Having known that the atom is not conserved, I 

 might rest content and try to persuade him that I 

 have disposed of the conservation of matter. But 

 he will say: "Not so fast, my friend. I grant that 

 your so-called atoms are falsely so called, but what 

 if I propose to transfer this term to the electrons 

 of which the atoms (literally, the uncut) are now 

 known to be composed? Plain it is that if the 

 electrons be permanent, then the law of conser- 

 vation of matter stands. Recent discoveries have 

 only given it more accurate expression. It will 

 not do to juggle with the term 'atom,' as if it were 

 not your own fault that it has hitherto been mis- 

 applied." 



In attempting to meet this most legitimate 

 criticism I must first ask, What is an electron? 

 Is it a hard, impenetrable, indestructible speck of 

 stuff or matter? At first sight it might appear 

 to be such, for it is certainly possessed of mass 

 and inertia, and our minds will not permit us to 

 imagine that it does not occupy space. But recent 

 study has shown that mass (which may con- 

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