594 



Chase.l <ftf1t [Nov. 4, 



H 



The above tables seem to show that, if Pi'out's law is correct, the value 

 of the oxygen atom has been more accurately determined than that of the 

 hydrogen atom. The deviations of Mo, In, Ce, CI, Rb, Sr, Zr, and V, 

 are so great as to require some explanation, which may, perhaps, be fovind 

 in phyllotactic or harmonic influence. 



139. Further Evidence of Fhyllotaxy . 



Upon further examination of Gerber's tables, I find a still closer agree- 

 ment with rigidly phyllotactic divisors. Taking the mean of the estimated 

 atomic weights, when two are given, his values should be as follows : 

 Dj = 655.28 -^ 853 :r= .7681 ; D., = 1440.4 -~ 722 = 1.9950 ; T>., = 646. 21 

 -- 415 = 1.5571 ; D^ = 2763.05 -- 2218 = 1.2457 ; H == 1.3 D^ = 9986. 

 Clarke's values for the atomicities, when grouped in the same way as Ger- 

 ber's, give Di = 656.212 -- 853 = .7693 ; D^ = 1437.96 -- 721 = 1.9944 ; 

 D3 = 643.53 ^ 413 = 1.5582 ; D^ = 2752.051 -- 2208 = 1.2464 ; H = 1.3 

 Dj = 1.0001. The following table shows the nearness of agreement be- 

 tween the empirical and the phyllotactic divisors : 



Phyllotactic. Gerber. Clarke. 



H =tVO -9977 .9986 1.0001 



Di = ifH .7675 .7681 .7693 



D2= 2 H 1.9954 1.9950 1.9944 



D3= f D^ 1.5589 1.5571 1-5582 



D4— 10^1.2471 1.2457 1.2464 



140. "Elasticity." 



"Sir W. Thomson is led from the consideration of various experiments 

 with fluids and solids and the study of smoke rings to speculate upon 

 elasticity as an evidence of motion. The kinetic theory of gases re- 

 quires that the molecule or atom shall be elastic. ' But this kinetic theory 

 of matter is a dream and must remain so until it can explain chemical af- 

 finity, electricity, magnetism, gravitation and inertia.' The writer looks 



