32 W. A. Norton on Molecular and Cosmical Physics. 
expansion of the compound molecule sets free a certain portion 
of this condensed ether, and every condensation withdraws a 
certain portion from adjacent molecules that are undisturbed. 
If two dissimilar surfaces are rubbed, the one over the other, 
the consequent disturbance of the compound molecules of the 
two surfaces, will be either unlike or unequal in amount; and 
a certain quantity of electricity will in consequence pass from _ 
the one surface to the other. As soon as the friction ceases the 
disturbed molecules will recover their original form and’ size, 
and the positive state of the one surface and the negative state 
of the other will manifest themselves. For example, if the | 
molecules of the one surface are compressed by the rubbing, 
and those of the other expanded, electricity will flow from the 
latter to the former while the condensation and expansion are _ 
going on, but as soon as two rubbing molecules are freed from __ 
each other's influence they recover their former dimensions, and 
the excess of the electric fluid in one of the molecules and 
_ The excitation of electricity by heat is conceived to be prin- 
cipally due to the expansive action of heat on the electric 
] f primiti 1 les, and on th 1mol 
p Pp ; Pp molecul 
which either sets free a certain portion of electric ether, or 
establishes a chain of electro-polarized molecules.* 
General Considerations.—The Theory of Cosmical and Mole- 
cular Physics, of which I have now given a brief outline, rests 
essentially upon the following principles. 
(1.) The doctrine of inertia applicable to all matter. 
(2.) The existence of a single primary force of repulsion exerted 
by every atom upon every other atom. This force is universally 
eae to be in operation between the atoms of the luminife- 
rous ether, and between the atoms of ordinary matter and this 
ether at the most minute distances. 
8.) The existence of but one primary form of elementary matter, 
viz: the universal or luminiferous ether ;—the atoms, so called, 
ordinary matter and of the electric ether being but different 
: condensed luminiferous ether. The theory of the 
