THE CHAIN OF UNIVERSES I 5 I 



that the velocity of light is a definite and most 

 important constant, more important than ever since 

 our discovery that it is both relatively and ab- 

 solutely the same in the three worlds. 



A few such fundamental principles may enable 

 us by-and-by to marshal all phenomena in due 

 order, and to survey them in proper perspective. 

 But when it comes to the explanation, or, rather, 

 the interpretation, of these fundamental principles, 

 material conceptions are no longer useful. The 

 fundamental principles are necessarily functions of 

 the five senses with which we happen to be en- 

 dowed. They are the symbols which connect our 

 physical organism with the realities outside us. 

 Any further reduction must be accompanied by 

 an analysis of our own senses and faculties. Not 

 microscopy, but psychology, will solve the "Riddle 

 of the Universe." 



Even in dealing with ordinary sensation we are 

 constantly coming upon sources of error, such as 

 malobservation, illusion, and hallucination. The 

 senses require constant correction and supervision 

 by the intellect. Not by a single intellect either, 

 for no fact, observed and recorded by even the 

 most famous and best trained observer, is ever 

 accepted on his unsupported testimony alone, but 

 by the combined intellect of those supposed to be 

 best qualified to judge. Witness Blondlot's " N- 

 rays" and Secchi's Martian canals. 



