2oo Scientific Sophisms. 



They " are conformed," we are assured, " to 

 a constant type with a precision which is not 

 to be found in the sensible properties of the 

 bodies which they constitute. In the first place, 

 the mass of each individual," " and all its other 

 properties, are absolutely unalterable. In the 

 second place, the properties of all " " of the 

 same kind are absolutely identical." l Here 

 then, to adopt the weighty words of Mr. Mar- 

 tineau, " we have an infinite assemblage of 

 phenomena of Resemblance. But further, these 

 atoms, besides the internal vibration of each, are 

 agitated by movements carrying them in all 

 directions, now along free paths, and now into 

 collisions. 3 Here therefore, we have phenomena 

 of Difference in endless variety. And so it 

 comes to this : that our unitary datum breaks 

 up into a genus of innumerable contents, and 

 its individuals are affected both with ideally 

 perfect correspondences and with numerous con- 

 trasts of movement. What intellect can pause 

 and compose itself to rest in this vast and 

 restless crowd of assumptions ? Who can restrain 

 the ulterior question, WHENCE then these 

 myriad types of the same letter imprinted on 



1 Prof. Maxwell's " Discourse on Molecules," p. II. 

 * " Theory of Heat." By J. Clerk Maxwell, M.A., 

 LL.D., F.R.SS. London and Edinburgh. Pp. 310, 311. 



