OZONE AND Jiyi>i;<x;KN I'Ki;< >X I DK DAI/fuN's LAW '217 



A certain number of atoms n of an element A in combining with 

 several atoms m of another element B give a compound A n B m , each 

 molecule of which will contain the atoms of the elements A and B in 

 this ratio, and therefore the compound will present a definite composition, 

 expressed by the formula A n B m , where A and B are the weights of the 



lusting force of motion, forming molecules as the heavenly bodies form systems, like 

 the solar system, which molecules are only relatively indivisible in the same way as the 

 planets of the solar system are inseparable, and stable and lasting as the solar system is 

 lasting. Such a representation, without necessitating the absolute indivisibility of 

 atoms, expresses all that science can require for an hypothetical representation of the 

 constitution of matter. In closer proximity to the dynamical hypothesis of the constitu- 

 tion of matter is the oft-times revived vortex hypothemt. Descartes first endeavoured 

 to raise it ; Helmholtz and Thomson gave it a fuller and more modern form ; many 

 scientific men applied it to physics and chemistry. The idea of vortex rings serves 

 tis the starting point of this hypothesis; these are familiar to all as the rings of 

 tobacco smoke, and may be artificially obtained by giving a sharp blow to the sides of a 

 cardboard box having a circular orifice and filled with smoke. Phosphine, as we shall 

 see later on, when bubbling from water always gives very perfect vortex rings in a still 

 atmosphere. In such rings it is easy to observe a constant circular motion about their 

 axes, and to remark the stability the rings possess in their motion of translation. This 

 unchangeable maps, endued with a rapid internal motion, is likened to the atom. In a 

 medium deprived of friction, such a ring, as is shown by theoretical considerations of the 

 subject from a mechanical point of view, would be perpetual and unchangeable. The 

 rings are capable of grouping together, and combining, being indivisible, remain 

 indivisible. The vortex hypothesis has been established in our times, but it has not 

 been fully developed ; its application to chemical phenomena is not clear, although 

 not impossible ; it does not satisfy a doubt in respect to the nature of the space existing 

 between the rings (just as it is not clear what exists between atoms, and between the 

 planets), neither does it tell us what is the nature of the moving substance of the ring, 

 und therefore for the present it only presents the germ of an hypothetical conception of 

 the constitution of matter, consequently, I consider that it would be superfluous to 

 speak of it in greater detail. However, the thoughts of investigators are now (and 

 naturally will be in the future), as they were in the time of Dalton, often turned to the 

 question of the limitation of the mechanical division of matter, and the atomists have 

 searched for an answer in the most diverse spheres of nature. I select one of the 

 methods tried, which does not in any way refer to chemistry, in order to show how closely 

 all the provinces of natural science are bound together. Wollaston proposed the inves- 

 tigation of the atmosphere of the heavenly bodies as a means for confirming the 

 existence of atoms. If the divisibility of matter be infinite, then air must extend 

 throughout the entire space of the heavens as it extends all over the earth by its elasticity 

 and diffusion. If the infinite divisibility of matter be admitted, it is impossible that any 

 portion of the whole space of the universe can be entirely void of the component parts of 

 our atmosphere. But if matter be divisible up to a certain limit only namely, up to the 

 atom then there can exist a heavenly body void of an atmosphere ; and if such a body 

 be discovered, it would serve as an important factor for the acceptation of the validity of 

 the atomic doctrine. The moon has long been considered as such a luminary, and this 

 circumstance, especially from its proximity to the earth, has been cited as the best proof 

 of the validity of the atomic doctrine. This proof is apparently (Poisson) deprived of 

 some of its force from the possibility of the transformation of the component parts of 

 our atmosphere into a solid or liquid state at immense heights above the earth's surface, 

 where the temperature is exceedingly low ; but a series of researches (Poule) has shown 

 that the temperature of the heavenly space is, comparatively, not so very low, and is 

 attainable by experimental means, so that at the low existing pressure the liquefaction 



