IQO THE METAPHYSICS OF EVOLUTION. 



to this limitation of Space, as It will subsequently 

 appear a necessary postulate also on other scientific 

 and philosophic grounds (ch. Ix. §§ 2-10). By this 

 limitation of Space Mr. Crookes avoids the dissipa- 

 tion of energy by reason of its conversion Into light 

 and heat, and Its subsequent loss by radiation Into 

 the Infinite. He supposes that at the confines of 

 the universe the ether vibrations constituting light 

 are re-converted, first Into prothyle, and then Into 

 atoms of ponderable matter, which, as soon as they 

 are formed, commence to gravitate Inward, and close 

 their careers by reaching the larger stars, and there 

 being again dissolved Into prothyle. 



Thus the atoms of sensible matter also are In a 

 way Individual beings. And both their Individual 

 and their chemical characteristics (as It were, their 

 personal and racial character) will depend on the 

 general physical conditions at the time and place of 

 their formation, In accordance with the periodic law. 

 And when formed a process of segregation and 

 aggregation takes place among the atoms in con- 

 sequence of which ''those which have approximately 

 the same rates of motion " cohere to form sensible ag- 

 gregates of practically homogeneous matter, "heap- 

 ing themselves together by virtue of that ill-under- 

 stood tendency through which like and like come 

 together, that principle by which Identical or ap- 

 proximately identical bodies are found collected in 

 masses In the earthy crust, Instead of being uniformly 

 distributed." There result certain '' nodal points In 

 space with approximately void Intervals," which ex- 

 plains a difficulty which the theory of the evolution 

 of the elements has to meet In common with that of 

 the evolution of species, viz., the absence or scarc- 

 ity of Intermediate forms. And thus the larger 



