M\i;(ii. 191. 



KNOW i.i:nc, |- 



12.i 



position the nucleus occupies? No dynamical 

 suggestion, save that of some radiative or electrical 

 phenomenon, seems to satisfy the conditions. The 

 pressure of light has been tried, and does not appear 

 anything like great enough to explain the phenomena. 

 For over thirty years I have examined suggestion 

 after suggestion with no dvnamical satisfaction, and 

 nothing but an induced electrical [)henomenon seems 

 left as a probable cause. Many facts point to the 

 Sun being an electrified body. The frictional disturb- 

 ance produced by its tidal action on the cometic 

 particles must produce electrical separation. The 

 like kind is attracted, the other repelled. Thc^ 

 phenomenon of ensphering envelopes suggests that 

 the attracted kind escapes, and leaves the comet 

 charged with the unlike kind, .\ided by the Sun it 

 produces an induction that acts upon the matter of 

 space, and temporarilv separates the two, electric 

 stress producing luminosity. The greater the nucleus 

 the greater the self-repulsion produced, and the 

 slower the impulse travels, and consequently the 

 greater the resultant curve. \\'ith subordinate nuclei 

 the self-repulsion is not strong, and the impulse 

 travels faster and the subordinate tail is straighten. 



If the head is made up of many orbitally connected 

 nuclei the tail is multiple, the several parts mutually 

 repelling one another. (See Figure 1.50). 



Distortion of Tails. 

 Why are the tails of comets sometimes subject to 

 such apparently violent action ? Possibly because 

 some passing meteoric swarm has already set up 

 electrical conditions in space. 



The Chemistry of the Spectra. 

 \\'h\- does the carbonic oxide show throughout the 

 mass of a comet ? Possibh' because carbonic iixide 



KlGLKK 1.50. 



Comet 1908. III. October 3rd. 1908, 30 minutes 

 exposure. Multiple tails, possibly due to several nuclei. 



•iGfUi; 131. 



Comet 1901. I. May 4th. 1901, 15 minutes' exposure. 

 Tail produced by an apparently dense meteoric swarm. 



ina\- be spread through space. Why is cyanogen 

 seen in the head ? Possibly because this compound 

 of carbon is formed at excessive temperatures, as it 

 is known to be a constant constituent of the gases of 

 tlie blast furnace. Of course, it would burn were 

 there free oxygen, but the existence of carbonic 

 oxide in space suggests that there is none. The 

 whole problem of comets, bristles with dynamical 

 and chemical difificulties : but do not let us use 

 theoretical suggestions obviously inapplicable. 

 Electricity is a subject we are only just beginning to 

 understand. We are onh- on the threshold of the 

 prodigalit\- of its varied phenomena. The wonderful 

 ( hemical and luminous phenomena, now being 

 re\ealed b\- Strutt, as associated with the varied 

 molecular " states of nitrogen under electrical 

 influences: the extraordinary complexities of brush 

 discharges in different gases so long known, but now 

 so much increased by Kaffety's experiments: the 

 varied glow of vacuum" discharges in all the richness 

 of their complex phenomena ; these are a few of the 

 experimental effects of electricity : whilst terrestrial 

 magnetism, the corona, the aurora and the varied 

 complexitN- of the tails of comets are probably each a 

 cosmic phenomenon connected with this same most 

 protean and potent agent. 



The Oric-.in of the Comets. 

 The study of partial impact and the theory of the 

 third bodv in all their multifarious conditions and 



