INTKolHXTInN 39 



and ton us, must exist in all the states of matter. It is very important 

 to direct attention to the fact that the internal movement or condition 

 of the parts of the particles of matter must be different on the surface 

 of a substance from what it is inside ; because in the interior of a sub- 

 stance similar particles are acting on all sides of every particle, whilst 

 at the surface they only act on one side. Therefore, the condition of 

 a substance at its surfaces of contact with other substances must be 

 more or less modified by them it may be in a manner similar to that 

 caused by an elevation of temperature. These considerations throw 

 some light on the action in the large class of contact reactions ; that 

 is, such as seem to proceed from the mere presence (contact) of certain 

 special substances. Porous or powdery substances are very prone to 

 act in this way, especially spongy platinum and charcoal. For example, 

 sulphurous anhydride does not combine directly with oxygen, but this 

 reaction takes place in the presence of spongy platinum. 36 



The above general and introductory chemical conceptions cannot be 

 thoroughly grasped in their true sense without a knowledge of the 

 particular facts of chemistry to which we shall now turn our attention. 

 It was, however, absolutely necessary to become acquainted on the 

 very threshold with such fundamental principles as the laws of the 

 indestructibility of matter and of the conservation of energy, as it is 

 only by their acceptance, and under their direction and influence, that 

 the examination of particular facts can give practical and fruitful results. 



56 Contact phenomena are separately considered in detail in the work of Professor 

 Konovaloff (1884). In my opinion, one must consider that the state of the internal move- 

 ments of the atoms in molecules is modified at the points of contact of substances, and 

 this state determines chemical reactions, and therefore, that reactions of combination, 

 decomposition, and rearrangement are accomplished by contact. Professor Konovaloff 

 showed that a number of substances under certain conditions of their surfaces act by con- 

 tact ; for instance, powdery silica (from the hydrate) acts just like platinum, decom- 

 posing certain compound ethers. As reactions are only accomplished under close contact, 

 it is probable that those modifications in the distribution of the atoms in molecules which 

 come about by contact phenomena prepare the way for them. By this the role of con- 

 tact phenomena is considerably extended. By such phenomena the fact should be 

 explained why a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen yields water (explodes) at different 

 temperatures according to the kind of heated substance which transmits this tempera- 

 ture. In chemical mechanics, phenomena of this kind have great importance, but as yet 

 they have been but little studied. 



