CONSTITUENTS OF THE UNIVERSE. 



The theory of matter and atoms, or elements, 

 gets a set-back in by far the most important 

 and most abundant of all the elements, oxygen, 

 which is about two-thirds of the whole, lor this 

 element is recognized in two forms, when there 

 could not possibly be but one if the theory were 

 true. This doubled-faced characteristic of an 

 element is called alotropism. 



Sulphur is in the same predicament, while 

 phosphorus, when simply heated to about 240 

 degrees, centigrade, for a considerable time, 

 under conditions that preclude chemical 

 changes, is radically changed in twelve im- 

 portant particulars; and with an addition of 

 about twenty degrees more of heat, is changed 

 back to its original state. How can all this, 

 or any of it, be explained by such a theory? 

 Oxygen being two-thirds of the whole, with 

 nearly half of the supposed elements a mere 

 trifle, furnishes another hint that the atomic 

 theory is false. 



If there is any matter, there is a point at which 

 division must necessarily stop, or there would 

 be no atoms left, and hence no molecules. 



