observe: according to the molecular theory and its corollaries, there is 

 no actual contact. The surfaces of all solid bodies present, instead of 

 an unbroken front of "stuff," only a superficial array of atoms, vibrating 

 molecules, with spaces between; therefore two such bodies, when in 

 so-called contact, can only be as near to each other as the repulsion 

 between the moving molecules or their respective surfaces will permit. 

 Observe, too, that although in discussing the kinetic theory of gases, 

 we speak in a rough way, of collisions between the atoms or molecules 

 constituting a gas; yet in strictness, no one with a competent faculty of 

 thinking will contend that in such collisions the atoms come into true 

 contact — that is, a contact which excludes an atmosphere of ether. 



Here may be permitted a digression, to speak of repulsion as the 

 opposite of attraction. The repulsion between atoms when they come 

 into close, so-called contact, which prevents them touching, and pushes 

 them away, can be nothing else than the elasticity of the film or atmos- 

 phere of ether surrounding each. This atmosphere being subjected by 

 the moment of the approaching atoms, to pressure, is rendered so te7ise 

 as to obstruct farther movement in that direction. 



In demonstrating the initial propositions of this thesis, however, we 

 are not greatly concerned with the acceptance or rejection of this 

 hypothesis of consciousness and intelligence in the atom; all that is 

 demanded at this stage of the argument is, motio7i of the atom as an 

 essential ?node of its existence; a7id for every differ e7it kirid of atom a7id 

 molecule a differe7it 7notion. 



So far as we have learned hitherto, all the sensible qualities (except- 

 ing, />^r/2«/.y, gravity) of bodies seem to depend finally upon motion 

 — the motion of their several constituent particles reacting on ether- 

 waves set in motion by particles in the sun or other radiating body. 

 Before this audience, it is unnecessary to particularize, farther, than to 

 mention color, fluidity, solidity, sonority, transparency, diathermancy, 

 etc. Even odors and sapidity appear to come within the generaliza- 

 tion. In saying, however, that the sensible qualities of things depend 

 on and are expressions of atomic and molecular motion, we shall do well 

 to bear in mind that these motions (of solid particles) are communi- 

 cated to us and to each other by means of etherial undulations or waves. 

 These ether-waves, flowing outward from their source, impinge and 

 break on the molecules constituting our bodies and modify thus their 

 motions in various ways. Thus only is consciousness excited in us, 

 and the varied and varying character of our consciousness is the expres- 

 sion and effect of the various and varying rhythm and 77iode of the 

 impinging waves, which, in this way and that, modify the motions of 

 our individual molecules. 



What is an ether-wave? It can only be that it consists of a differen- 



