W. A. Norton on Molecular Physics. 67 
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require the assumption of special rates of vibration, proper to 
the particles of ditferent bodies; as the different colors of bod- 
les, &c 
force is supposed to consist, should be propagated from particle 
to particle, just as any mechanical force is; in other words, heat 
should be conducted after the same manner, essentially, and at 
€ same rate that sound is conducted by the same medium. 
Y ascending to the reservoir of primary force, from which 
all the different streams of force flow, as has been attempted 
his communication, we may avoid some of the difficulties 
attending the rejection of the idea of the existence of an elec- 
te ether; and in many portions of the field of physical sci- 
ence the part played by the electric ether is so similar to that 
which we may suppose would be performed by the universal 
4er under similar circumstances, that the suspicion at times 
arises that all the offices now attributed to the former will event- 
ually be found to be discharged by the latter. If so, the pro- 
esses of operation will not of necessity be changed, but only 
the agent or medium 
mitting that the molecular forces consist of two forces of 
Tepulsion and one of attraction, as characterized on p. 64, let us 
_ Proceed to inquire into the variations that may occur in the 
-ffective action of two similar molecules, separated by various 
“Mtervals of distance. Let z= the distance between two molecu- 
_ “ar atmospheres; r= the radius of either atmosphere; m= the 
‘Constant of electric repulsion, that is, the force of electric repul- 
