PART II 

 MICROBES AND LIFE 



CHAPTER XIII 

 A LITTLE CHEMISTRY 



ALL the matter in the universe is composed of 

 molecules. All the molecules are composed of 

 atoms, or the chemical elements. All the 

 atoms are composed of electrons, or electrical 

 points. These electrons are probably connecting 

 links between the atoms and the Ether. The Ether 

 is probably the original source whence the entire 

 universe of matter has sprung. 



Anyway, the Ether, as exploited by science, is 

 an infinitely fine substance; the fineness of its tex- 

 ture is beyond the power of imagination to con- 

 ceive. An infinitely tenuous and elastic medium; 

 its rarity cannot be excelled, its normal state can- 

 not be changed. The dimensions of the Ether are 

 also infinite. It fills all space. It penetrates and 

 saturates alike all the hardest and all the softest 

 bodies of the universe. It flows in among the 

 atoms of, and saturates, a diamond or a world, as 

 readily as water flows in among the fibers of, and 

 saturates, a sponge. An infinite ocean of Some- 



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