MECHANISM OF NATURE 



analysis, polarization, color effects and many other 

 observed effects of light make up a great sum total, 

 strengthening the impression that light is a pri- 

 mary identity, yet capable of undergoing changes 

 within its own nature. And yet light coming to us 

 through millions of miles of void matter can only 

 come as a mechanical displacement of the spheres 

 of void matter. (Proposition XX, B. 3.) But the 

 changes produced by that light are not only a re- 

 sult of such pressure of displacement, but in equal 

 measure these changes are the result of living iden- 

 tities yielding to that pressure (Proposition III, 

 B. 3.) And because the living identities differ from 

 one another in essential form, as well as in outline, 

 therefore the same mechanical pressure of light on 

 the endless variety of living identities produces the 

 innumerable effects of light. 



And it is evident that a knowledge of the forms 

 of atoms, and the resultant shape of the combina- 

 tion of different atoms in the molecules and higher 

 combinations, of glass and other substances, would 

 greatly aid in understanding transparency. 



Light that would penetrate all things would not 

 be light at all; we could not perceive it. 



There is a radical difference between solids, 

 liquids and gases, which is not a mere question of 

 degree of nearness of one particle to another. 

 (Proposition VI, B. 1.) And, in spite of modern 

 theories, there is required something solid some- 

 where, some background for the action of force. 



The light-waves are thrown out of their course 

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