AND ITS SELF-CONSERVATION. 61 



say -that it is irreconcilable with the theory of the all- 

 pervading,, perfectly elastic fluid, which fluid would seem 

 to be in its very nature perfectly continuous in spite of 

 its seeming discreteness as developed in the vortex atom. 



To this it may be added that,, on the supposition that 

 matter consists solely of atoms, and that it is therefore 

 absolutely discrete, then the essential properties of matter 

 must really be the essential properties of the atom. Thus, 

 in the first place, the atom must be pervaded throughout 

 by attraction at least, since, being of a definite volume, it 

 must be drawn together by an infinite force in order that 

 it may be able to maintain its integrity as against all 

 forces tending toward its disintegration. And yet, as we 

 have already seen, the attraction thus demanded for the 

 assured existence of the atom must appear, in however 

 limited a compass, as the complement of repulsion. Nay, 

 the incompressibility of the atom is itself once more a 

 manifestation of repulsion, which is at the same time 

 equally the infinitely vigorous truth of its attraction. 

 In other words, here, as everywhere, the existence of 

 attraction at any point necessarily implies repulsion at the 

 same point, and equally the contrary. 



It may be added, too, that, on the supposition of rigid 

 atoms, in order that the atom may retain its rigidity in 

 form and volume, it would be necessary that the relations 

 between the attractions and repulsions within it should 

 never be disturbed. And this again would require that 

 the . external relations of the atom should forever remain 

 unchanged. In other words, the atom could only be and 

 remain absolutely rigid upon condition that the whole 

 universe should likewise remain absolutely rigid, and 

 hence wholly destitute of motion in any and every sense. 



