168 W. A. Norton on Molecular Physics, 
different objections urged by him in due order, and commenting 
upon them in succession ;—having a care “not to dissociate 
remarks that should properly be presented together. The 
quotations made will be indicated to the eye by being printed 
in smaller type 
at number of scientific men, to give an explanation of 
calorific, electric, and luminous phenomena, assume that aether 
an zethereal atmosphere, the action of which is considered to be the 
source of those phenomena. Profess ssor W. A. Norton, in a series 
— ne articles published in n the American J ournal, gives 
| 
; 
give hi 
The iabtinhil truths and generally received ideas which form 
the basis of the theory, are as follows 
Ist. All the —_—. of material nature oop = from the actiol 
of thes atter. 
a. Ali the the tivo i in operation in —_— are traceable to tw? 
biteery forces, viz: attraction and repulsio 
srd. All bodies of matter consist of rocmabe indivisible parts 
called atoms, each of which is conceived to be s al in form. 
y 
each other. These are Ist, ordinary or gross matter, of ae 
all bodies of matter directly detected by our senses either ae 
or chiefly Saag 2nd. A subtile fluid, or ether, associa seal phe 
ter, by the intervention of which all elect 
nomena originate, or are produced. This peiote ne, as It 
be termed, is attracted by pans a matter, while ts in 
atoms repel each other. 3rd. <A still more  subtile form 
which pervades all space and the nae one between the a 
This is um by which light is pre 
sE . 
call ha other; 
atoms, or “atomettes” of this ether, ae repel pa more 
and it is attracted by ordinary matter, and 1 agai 
dense in the interior of bodies than in "free 8 spac manifests 
5th. Heat, in all its recognized actions on “matter, 
itself as a force of repulsion. henomess 
The corner stone of f molecular Pp | 
ne of a physical theory Soe of the essential , 
) the properties 3° 
with the arrangements which enable it to exert foros 5 
and repulsion upon other molecules. In see follow to 
‘osophica course that cane pursued i rf oe 
eg timate conclusions the é 
down. ... «The conception here forme of a modeesle 70" ‘ 
