Matter. 51 



(5) Shape. — Size in an atom involves shape. 

 Hitherto this shape for all atoms has been postulated 

 spherical ; atoms being little spheres, and molecules 

 groups of spheres. But, if atoms are of seventy or 

 more different kinds, this assumption is contrary to 

 evidence, for different substances naturally exhibit 

 different specific structural forms ; effects which could 

 only be produced from a specific difference in the 

 fundamental or atomic sub-structure of the substance. 

 For example, rock salt crystallises as a cube. If this 

 cube be split up until it can be split no longer, the 

 residuum is always a cube; hence, reasoning from the 

 visible to the invisible, a molecule of salt is also a 

 cube. But a molecule of salt contains both sodium 

 and chlorine, consequently, while the atoms of sodium 

 and chlorine may not be cubical, by producing the 

 cube form through their combination they must be 

 not spherical but polygonal. Similarly with the 

 atoms of all elements, they are probably polygons of 

 various shapes. (See Mineral Evolution?) 



(6) Weight. — "The atoms of the same element 

 weigh alike, but the atoms of different elements have 

 different weights." This quality of weight is a fact, 

 but its cause is alleged unknown.' (See Gravitation?) 



(7) Kinds of Atoms. — Although the variety of sub- 

 stances on the earth is infinite, the fundamental bases 

 are comparatively few, certainly not more than the 

 number of the elements. 



This number (seventy odd) is sufficient for all the 

 needs of the universe, for not only may all known 



