NEBULA 129 



element of matter, it is probable that all forms and 

 congeries of matter commenced as electrons, and 

 that the elementary architecture of the cosmos 

 was conditioned, not by heat, but by the properties 

 and capacities of electrons — properties and 

 capacities of which we know very little. In the 

 light of the electronic theory of matter, a nebula 

 may be considered simply as a storm in the ether, 

 giving rise to vortices which take atomic shape, 

 and form, in the first place, simpler atoms such as 

 hydrogen and helium, and afterwards, under the 

 stress of conflicting forces, the larger and more 

 compHcated metallic elements. The atoms so 

 formed would, like atoms in a vacuum tube, be 

 rendered incandescent and hot by the impact of 

 free electrons ; and under the action of gravitation, 

 the heavier would sink to the centre with the 

 further production of heat. In view of the fact 

 that atoms are dissociated by heat, the synthesis 

 of atoms from electrons would take place at a low 

 temperature, and the heat certainly found in stars 

 and planets, at certain stages of their career, would 

 be the result of gravitation, and of the interplay 

 of electrons and atoms. It seems to us that the 

 key of cosmogony is to be found in the micro- 

 cosmogony of the atom. Until we can understand 

 how the corpuscles of the atoms are sent spinning 

 with such terrific speed and force in their little 



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