428 
NATURE 
[ Sepz. 2, 1886 
But in course of time some process akin to cooling, probably 
internal, reduces the temperature of the cosmic froty/e to a point 
at which the first step in granulation takes place ; matter as we 
know it comes into existence, and atoms are formed. As soon 
as an atom is formed out of protyle it is a store of energy, 
atoms will be accelerated. But with atomic matter the various 
forms of energy which require matter to render them evident 
begin to act ; and, amongst others, that form of energy which 
has for one of its factors what we now call atomic weight. Let 
us assume that the elementary fro/y/e contains within itself 
potential (from its tendency to coalesce with other atoms by | the potentiality of every possible combining proportion or 
gravitation or chemically) and kinetic (from its internal motions). | atomic weight. Let it be granted that the whole of our known 
> y | > g 
To obtain this energy, the neighbouring fAroty/e must be re 
frigerated by it,! and thersby the subsequent formation of other 
s y it; y 1 
| elements were not at this epoch simultaneously created. 
The 
easiest formed element, the one most nearly allied to the prot) le 
born. 
helium ?—of all the known elemenis the one of simplest struc- 
ture and lowest atomic weight, is the first to come into being. 
For some time hydrogen would be the only form of matter (as 
we now know it) in existence, and between hydrogen and the | 
next formed element there would be a considerable gap in time, 
in simplicity, is first Hydrogen — or shall we say 
during the latter part of which the el 
simplicity would be slowly approaching 
ment next in order « 
its birth-point : pending 
I am indebted to my friend, G Johnstone Stoney, F.R.S., for the ide 
here put forward, as well as for other valuable s iggestions and criticisms on 
sone of the theoretical q 1estions here treated of. 
this period we may suppose that the evolutionary process which 
soon was to determine the birth of a new element, would also 
determine its atomic weight, its affinities, and its chemical 
position. 
In the original genesis, the longer the time occupied in that 
portion of the cooling down during which the hardening of the 
protyle into atoms took place the more sharply defined would 
be the resulting elements ; and, on the other hand, with more 
irregularity in the original cooling we should have a nearer 
approach to ‘he state of the elemental family such as we know 
it at present 
