432 THE ASCENT OF MAN 



Yet there is something there, something which is 

 at least worth recalling in the present connection. 



The earliest condition in which Science allows 

 us to picture this globe is that of a fiery mass 

 of nebulous matter. At the second stage it 

 consists of countless myriads of similar atoms, 

 roughly outlined into a ragged cloud-ball, glow- 

 ing with heat, and rotating in space with 

 inconceivable velocity. By what means can 

 this mass be broken up, or broken down, or 

 made into a solid world ? By two things — 

 mutual attraction and chemical affinity. The 

 moment when within this cloud-ball the con- 

 ditions of cooling temperature are such that 

 two atoms could combine together the cause of 

 the Evolution of the Earth is won. For this 

 pair of atoms are chemically " stronger " than 

 any of the atoms immediately surrounding them. 

 Gradually, by attraction or affinity, the primitive 

 pair of atoms — like the first pair of savages — 

 absorb a third atom, and a fourth, and a fifth, 

 until a " Family " of atoms is raised up which 

 possesses properties and powers altogether new, 

 and in virtue of which it holds within its grasp 

 the conquest and servitude of all surrounding 

 units. From this growing centre, attraction radi- 

 ates on every side, until a larger aggregate, a 



