THOUGHTS ON NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. 51 



confirmed former ideas and have re-transferred to the 

 elements of the atom the motion which was attributed 

 to the atom itself at a time when it was considered 

 indivisible. It is only, no doubt, because they possess 

 such velocities of rotation that the elements which 

 constitute the atoms can, when leaving their orbits 

 under the influence of various causes, be launched at 

 a tangent through space with the velocities observed 

 in the emissions of particles of matter in course of 

 dissociation. 



The rotation of the elements of the atom is more- 

 over the very condition of their stability, as it is for 

 a top or for a gyroscope. When under the influence 

 of any cause the speed of rotation falls below a 

 certain critical point, the equilibrium of the particles 

 becomes unstable, their kinetic energy increases and 

 they may be expelled from the system, a phenomenon 

 which is the commencement of the dissociation of 

 the atom.] 



The motions of the surrounding ether under a rise 

 of temperature, or increased force of movement, may 

 cause or assist dissociation. 



Illustrations are dangerous things in an argument; 

 but, if apposite and not unduly pressed, they may be 

 helpful. 



Start one hundred men on a foot race of a mile. 

 Soon they will fall into groups, as a result of the 

 different rates of speed at which they travel; and 

 these groups will possess mobility and stability 

 dependent on the speed and movement of the in- 

 dividuals forming the groups. 



Imagine an immense billiard table and a vast 



