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W. A. Norton on Molecular and Cosmical Physics. 383 
origin of universal gravitation that has been propounded might 
be reconciled with the ordinary notion of matter, viz: that its 
could admit that the resistance of an ordinary atom to a force 
giving it motion was proportional to its surface instead of its 
mass. 
(4). The doctrine of the interception of force, as already set forth. 
(5). The primary force of repulsion is made up of impulses 
recurrmng with an immeasurable rapidity. This is no new hy- 
pothesis. In all treatises on Mechanics, gravity, and all incessant 
forces, are conceived to consist of an indefinitely great number 
of impulses taking effect in a finite interval of time. 
f we conceive the propagation of the primary force of repul- 
sion to be by the intervention of a medium, this medium must 
an ether more subtile, and endued with a more intense elastic 
force than the luminiferous. This elastic force must consist in 
* mutual repulsion between the atoms. Thus, upon the idea of 
a material propagation of force, we must ultimately rest upon 
the conception of a force exerted between two atoms separated 
by a finite though excessively minute interval of space. There 
is no tenable position between this and that of a plenum. 
Let us here devoutly acknowledge that in thus following 
the chain of cause and ‘effect into the precincts of that most 
deeply hidden of all mysteries, the origin of force, we have 
come into the presence of the Infinite Spirit who puts forth 
unceasingly, from every point in the realms of space, His crea- 
tive and sustaining power upon the subtile matter that fills all 
Space, and is the essential substance of all worlds. : : 
In addition to the principles just stated, we recognize the 
existence of matter in the three states of the luminiferous ether, 
the electric ether, and ordinary matter. 
It hardly need be stated that among the consequences of these 
fundamental principles is included the doctrine of the Conserva- 
ergy, actual and potential. It is obvious that at an. 
point in the boundless sea of ether the same amount 0 cosmica. 
orce would be received from every direction, but for the exist- 
ence of the innumerable worlds dispersed through it. It is 
