MECHANISM OF NATURE 



that total pressure is divided equally between all 

 the spheres in contact with the rod. 



Then how and why is that? Can anybody really 

 understand the reason that the spheres do on one 

 hand divide a total pressure, and on the other 

 transmit all the pressure that each has received, to 

 every other sphere in contact at once, undivided 

 and undiminished ? The lever distributes the whole 

 pressure upon it on both ends, equally over the 

 whole length of the lever; the pulley divides the 

 total pressure between the stationary end, the sev- 

 eral wheels and the identity that pulls. 



And in every mechanical device there is this 

 mysterious capability of several identities to divide 

 a total force or pressure between themselves. Re- 

 versing the statement and saying "that each iden- 

 tity, or particle of a compound identity, has the 

 capacity to add its received quota of force to the 

 accumulative whole, " seems to put the question in 

 a clearer light ; and yet there remain ever the why 

 and the wherefore. % 



Then substituting for an imperfect hydraulic 

 jack, with its medium of partially compressible 

 water, a perfect Universe filled with incompressible 

 primary spheres, it is at once apparent that every 

 identity or organized body exerts any pressure put 

 upon it as a whole, on all those primary spheres 

 that prevent its movement. And these spheres di- 

 vide the total pressure between themselves, and 

 transmit it to every other sphere in the Universe 

 undivided. 



104 



