286 



KNOWLEDGE. 



[December 1, 1897. 



atomic weights. In view of the problem of the trans- 

 mutation of the metals (which are elementary bodies) 

 this classification is supremely interesting. As it is found 

 that certain elements are more nearly related to those in 

 the same group than to others, their transmutation, in the 

 large number of such cases occurring, into a nearly related 

 element, may be a problem which it is worth while to 

 attack. Another consideration, moreover, is that, as the 

 properties of an element depend upon its atomic weight, 

 the elements, especially of one family, may possibly be 

 regarded as built up from one another, or from some 

 common material. Whatever relation amongst the elements 

 this periodic classification may really indicate, it is probable 

 that it has its origin in some unknown law concerning 

 their formation ; and it must be admitted that the hope of 

 the alchemists, resting in their own time upon entirely 

 false hypotheses, may, with the progress of chemistry, find 

 its realization in some new field of modern investigation. 



It is by means of the classification referred to that 

 important suggestions were obtained which resulted in 

 Dr. Emmens' startling discovery. As he himself describes 

 it, his work had its origin in an attempt to prepare 

 absolutely pure iron and pure nickel. In his investigations 

 he obtained a new substance from iron and nickel different 

 from anything before observed, and this substance was 

 afterwards obtained in a similar manner from the element 

 cobalt. Here, therefore, a substance is found which 

 appears to be common to one of the groups of the elements, 

 and, in itself, such a discovery is one of the greatest 

 moment. Dr. Emmens has, however, proceeded to apply 

 his method of investigation in another direction, and 

 having regard to the fact that the gold and silver group 

 offered the greatest reward to his labours if successful, he 

 applied the same investigation to the series containing 

 copper, silver, and gold. 



It was previously known that silver could be made to pass 

 into solution in water whilst still in a metallic condition, 

 and it is considered that the element is, in this soluble 

 form, reduced to extremely minute subdivisions. If such 

 a process could be pushed further, the silver molecules, or 

 smallest particles of silver as such, would become dis- 

 sociated ; and, as is observed in other cases, the body 

 obtained exhibits new and remarkable properties. This 

 further subdivision eventually succeeded in the case of 

 silver, and a substance was produced which, in the opinion 

 of Dr. Emmens, can no longer be regarded as the same 

 element. 



With this substance, moreover, a step further can be 

 taken. It was found possible to group up the new sub- 

 stance into molecules of greater density than those of silver, 

 and in fact to produce a new body which exhibited entirely 

 diflerent properties. It was yellow by reflected and green 

 by transmitted light, and it was insoluble in either hydro- 

 chloric or nitric acid alone, but soluble in cniua reijiti, a 

 mixture of these acids— thus possessing the characteristic 

 properties of gold. It also resembled gold under the 

 microscope. 



The method of procedure has not yet been made known, 

 but an actual transformation of one element into another 

 is claimed to have been effected, and the claim is made by 

 a chemist of scientific eminence and the author of several 

 scientific works. The process is stated to depend upon 

 mechanical treatment, and it is suggested that use may be 

 made of the combined effect of impact and a very low 

 temperature. 



It is startling to consider what a wide field of investiga- 

 tion such a transformation opens up, and it suggests that 

 a scientific problem generally regarded as insoluble may 

 be successfully attacked when approached on entirely new 



lines. It does not seem improbable that several transmuta- 

 tions may, in reasonable time, be successfully accomplished, 

 for we have little ground for regarding the elements as the 

 ultimate particles of matter, except our inability to split 

 them up further. But such inability may with future 

 discoveries be overcome. At one time the alkalies, potash 

 and soda, were substances which could not be decomposed, 

 until Davy, with the galvanic current, separated from them 

 the elements potassium and sodium. By analogy, we may 

 regard the elements of modern chemistry as substances 

 whose analysis resists the action of all known forces. 

 Their formation in nature in the earlier stages of the 

 world's history may have involved forces hitherto un- 

 dreamed of by mankind ; and who therefore can say what 

 startling effects may result in the application of new 

 conditions or of forces yet to be discovered '? 



THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE OF 1898. 



IN the solar eclipse of 1896, August 9th, a very serious 

 mistake was made by English astronomers in not 

 occupying every available station. Throughout the 

 breadth of Japan the weather conditions seem to 

 have been unfavourable at the time of the eclipse, 

 but on the western portion of the shadow's track the 

 observers were massed, with two exceptions, within the 

 Varanger Fjord in Finmarken. It is true that the 

 meteorological prophecies were more favourable for the 

 hour of the eclipse over this region than at either Bodo or 

 Novaya Zemlaia. Indeed, at the latter place the chances 

 seemed a hundred to one against a favourable sky. Never- 

 theless clouds screened the eclipsed sun to the many 

 observers in the Varanger Fjord, and a most notable 

 success crowned the efl'orts of the forlorn hope led out by 

 Sir George Baden-Powell. At Bodo the heavens were 

 also clear, but no observers equipped with any instruments 

 were here available to tear their secrets from the seconds 

 of totality. 



It is much to be hoped that this experience, bought by 

 bitter loss in Norway, may not be again to buy in India. 

 Wherever attainable throughout the whole length of the 

 shadow track, from Ratnagiri on the coast to Mount 

 Everest on the Himalayas, no station should be left un- 

 occupied by some observer, armed if he be but with pencil 

 and note-book. For the north-east portion of the track 

 this ought not to be a difficult matter. The zone of 

 shadow here crosses over the thickly populated valley of 

 the Ganges, is intersected by many railway lines, and is 

 within easy access of several towns — such as Allahabad, 

 Benares, Patna — which have very many European resi- 

 dents. 



It will not be to the north-east part of India that the 

 expeditions from England will in the main be sent. Where 

 there are very many stations to choose from, the choice of 

 an expedition coming from a long distance will naturally 

 fall on that station which is most favoured by its 

 astronomical or by its meteorological conditions, or, if 

 possible, by both. In the case of the eclipse of January 

 22Qd next, both of these conditions are most favourable 

 near the western coast, and steadily decline together as 

 the Deccan is crossed aad the valley of the Ganges is 

 reached, both being distinctly bad on the spurs of the 

 Himalayas. 



Beginning at the coast where the shadow track leaves 

 the land of India, there is a small creek on the central 

 line half way between the ports of Ratnagiri and Viziadurg. 

 At this point will be anchored one of Her Majesty's gun- 

 bjats, which has been toll off' to convey from Colombo 



