W. A, Norton on Molecular Physics. 179 
assumptions. No such exception can be taken to the views I 
have advocated. For primarily each specific atom of gross at- 
tractive matter must appropriate to itself from the universally 
diffused repulsive ethers, its electric and its ethereal atmosphere, 
each of a certain definite extent. Upon the relations of these 
specific atmospheres to the central atom and to one another, all 
the different proporties of each specific molecule must depend. 
We have already seen that the principle that one material 
point acts upon another, instantaneously, without the interven- 
tion of any medium, is opposed to the fundamental idea that 
the force exerted is inversely proportional to the square of the 
distance. This law, to say the least, is an arbitrary assumption 
in the premises. The author also conceives that the mutual 
action of two material points, is in no degree and under no cir- 
cumstances intercepted by another intervening point. But we 
know that in the case of the molecular forces, the amount of 
vis viva expended in imparting motion to one particle is ab- 
stracted from the force in action, and according to Prof. Bayma, 
the molecular forces are of the same nature as the forces sub- 
sisting between the material elements. The force of gravity, it 
is true, is not sensibly intercepted, but this does not prove that 
a tendency to interception does not exist; for, upon the sup- 
position of a wave transmission of the force, the effective at- 
traction of any molecule may be the mere differential of the ac- 
tual force transmitted, and besides, in the circular revolution 
of a planet the distance from the sun remains unch 
anged. 
y own doctrine is, that the molecular forces, including the 
ween the atoms of gross matter - 
and those of the electric matter and the ether of space. The 
pi pane conditions of equilibrium the rate of vibration increases, 
id its intensity or vis viva, decreases, in proportion as the elec- 
tom is more remote from the center of the molecule. Thus, 
e 
