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THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 



impacts of the waves are so timed as to correspond 

 with the atoms. The effects of the waves are, in such 



case 



cumulative j and each atom gradually acquires 

 a momentum made up of countless infinitesimal mo- 



menta.' Mr 



lenients 



mutual 



of a chemically-compounded atom (or 'molecule/ as it 

 is usually termed by chemists), being still free to move 

 within certain limits, we must suppose them to remain 

 severally capable of vibrating in unison with the same 

 kinds of ethereal waves, as were capable of moving 

 them when they were in their uncombined condition. 

 The component atoms, therefore, retain their original 

 rates of oscillation, modified only as they may be by 



influence upon one another ; whilst the 

 compound atom or molecule will have a capacity of 

 oscillating determined by the attributes of its con- 

 stituent atoms. Taking the case of binary molecules 

 as an example, it becomes evident that if the members 

 of such molecules differ from one another considerably, 

 they are almost sure to be thrown into different rates 

 of vibration, and ' it is manifest that there must arise 

 a tendency towards the dislocation of the two— a 

 tendency which may or may not take effect, according 

 to the weakness or strength of their union, and accormi 

 to the presence or absence of collateral affinities. 



inference is perfectly in harmony with certain known 



metallic compounds which are most de- 



This 



facts. The 

 composable 



g 



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hich 



t 



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i 



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10 



i.h ato^^ 



big 



otass 



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are 



IB 



uchl' 

 ral 



seve 



of tli^S^ 



there 

 of the 



compoi^^^ 



ompou 



nds of t 



,t has been foun 

 which consist oi 

 the most decor 

 most interesting 



sajs :■ 



.' Strong c 



from the decomf 

 waves which we 

 the whole series 

 elements which 

 weights, as hyd 

 combine at all : 



cannot keep to: 

 rature. If 



agai 



"i^tallic oxides 



hav 



e atoms 



) 



nea 



cannot be 



se 



itisi 



pa: 



pined 



"^^tals which 



di 



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