AUTHOR'S PREFACE TO THIS EDITION vii 



treated of evaporation in connection with the diffusion of 

 gases and have discussed many other subjects allied to the 

 gaseous theory. But I had to omit much, since the work 

 would have demanded too much time. With the present 

 limitation to the old range it has cost very much trouble 

 and very much time to work up the literature of the subject, 

 that has grown mightily in these more than twenty years. 



The first German edition of this book has already had a 

 large sale in England and America. The present English 

 translation will contribute to a still wider dissemination of 

 the book, and will win new friends to the kinetic theory. 

 This I confidently hope, now that by reading the proofs I 

 have seen the loving care with which Mr. Baynes has 

 worked at the translation. By numerous suggestions, too, 

 he has enabled rne to remove some errors and to make 

 corrections and additions. For this I here express to him 

 my warmest thanks. 



OSKAR EMIL MEYER 



BRESLAU : September 1899 



