THE IONS OF THE ETHER 



rapidly moving ether molecule being thus trans- 

 formed, but never lost. Lastly, the ether molecules 

 themselves thus brought into intimate contact with 

 ponderable matter would be dissociated by these changes 

 of energy into their Ions, which, acting inductively 

 upon the Ions of ponderable matter according to their 

 chemical nature and polarity, would remain in con- 

 tact therewith, though lightly held, or, finding better 

 conductors near, pass off into the earth and dis- 

 appear. In this manner all bodies of different 

 chemical structure would retain what might be called 

 adhering dissociated ether atoms of opposite polarities 

 to their own. If in contact with other bodies or 

 with the earth, the Ether Ions held by one substance 

 would induce the opposite polarity in the other sub- 

 stance ; consequently the polarities would be balanced ; 

 but on removing the one body, which would require 

 force or energy to do, the polarity of the Ether Ions 

 will be unbalanced. The Ether atoms of one of 

 them will flow to the earth ; those of the other, if it is 

 a poor conductor, will remain unbalanced and lightly 

 adhering, consequently show Static Electricity ! For 

 this reason the forcible displacement of dissimilar 

 bodies always manifests Electricity. A well known 

 and established fact. 



The question why and how does a metal convey 

 electricity offers another problem. All substances 



