TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION B. 549 



high temperature will be seen by reference to the models to be an illustration of 

 this view, taken in connection with tliat previously expressed of the opening out 

 of elements on passing from the solid to the gaseous condition. It will be seen 

 that boron, if so opened out, could be accurately apposed to nitrogen. 



The compounds of oxygen with nitrogen and with chlorine correspond with 

 the forms assigned to these elements. On inspecting the model of chlorine it will 

 be obvious that, though monad in reference to hydrogen, yet, in accordance with the 

 theory of superposition suggested, it can combine with four atoms of oxygen. 

 The addition of hydrogen will then give the oxyacids of chlorine. 



It is evident that nitrogen can only combine with two atoms of oxygen, or 

 Nj with O3 or O., by means of a linking atom of O. 



The phenomenon of the expansion of water on passing into the solid state seems 

 explicable by the hexagonal shape suggested for the water molecule ; for G hexagons 

 apposed by the terminals of their axes so as to allow of free movement would 

 occupy the area of 8 hexagons only, but if locked by their double edges would 

 occupy the area of 9 or 85 according as they are enclosed in a hexagon or a 

 square. When the six hexagons are thus locked there would be no room for a 

 seventh in the centre, for the water molecule and o.xygen atom would be larger 

 than a true hexagon whose sides should be the same length as those of the atom, 

 because of the presence of the central linear components. Hence the seventh, or 

 central, molecule would be shot out when the other six become locked in the 

 process of solidification. 



The nascent conditionof elementary atoms seems explicable as consisting in the 

 sliding of one atom off another, not in their direct divulsion, each atom thus be- 

 coming gradually combined with the replacing atom. 



The fiicility with which the constitution, valencies, and potencies of the 

 different elements may be explained and represented by the adoption of this 

 hypothesis seems to indicate a correspondence between the hypothesis and the 

 actual facts of Nature. 



As regards any objection to this hypothesis based on the fractional determina- 

 tions of Stas, it is to be observed that it is by no means inconceivable that a certain 

 bevelling of the extremities of the linear components might take place in the process 

 of association, the polar forces of attraction between two linear components b^ing 

 probably powerful here, wliile the forces of aggregation, by which the supposed 

 ' protyle ' spheres are held as constituent portions of a single linear component, are 

 presumably weak, as being near the extreme range of their action. Stas's fractions 

 may, in fact, be the statement of such bevelling 



8. Researches on Sulphites. By P. J, Hartog, B.Sc. 



Improved methods for the preparation cf sulphites free from sulphates were 

 described. Potassium sulphite, sodium sulphite, and a normal potassium sodium 

 sulphite had been obtained, all crystallising in well-defined hexagonal prisms. 



The preparation and thermo-chemistry of a series of double sulphites, 



2\a'0, K-0, 4S0-, OH-O. 2K-0, Na'O, 4S0-, 7W0. 

 L'Na'O, Am-0. 4S0-, OII-O. 



2Am-0, K'O, 430-, 4, 5II-0. 

 3MgO, Am-0, 4.S0-, 18IP0. 



had been studied, and further research on the subject was in progress. 



The consideration of the.se salts had led the author to the hypothesis that the 

 meta-sulphites of potassium, sodium, and ammonium contained 4S0'^. This idea 

 was confirmed by the fact that when sodium and potassium metasulphite are com- 

 pletely neutralised by the addition of ammonia, the heat evolved by the addition 

 of the first half of the amount of base required is sensibly greater than that evolved 

 by the addition of the second half; hence the two reactions must be looked on aa 

 distinct. We should therefore double the molecule of the metasulphites, and write 

 the reactions as follows : — 



