Theory of die Chemical Elements. 873 



cerium, neodymium, and praseodymium and their group, 

 for these elements occur somewhat strongly in the sun, 

 where coronium undoubtedly exists. If so, some light 

 would be thrown on the apparent lack of places in the 

 Periodic Table for these elements. The atom of coronium 

 would be by no means so permanent as those of other sub- 

 stances, on account of its comparatively rapid radiation. 



Argon. — The atomic weight of argon has been determined 

 with greater accuracy than those of the other inert gases, 

 and the International Committee now adopts the value 39*88. 

 This is exactly ten times the value we have obtained for 

 helium, and we may write 



A = lOHe 



as a provisional representation. The fact that small quanti- 

 ties of argon usually occur in mineral springs which are rich 

 in helium is somewhat suspicious, and when helium is 

 formed in radioactive processes, it is not unlikely that minute 

 quantities of argon should accompany it, if the constituents 

 of the argon atom are the same, in greater number, as in the 

 case of helium. There is some reason to believe that all the 

 inert gases are products of radioactive changes, and the 

 question will be considered in greater detail later. 



Beryllium. — The combination 3Pf + 2H would have an 

 atomic weight 9'097, or 9*10, the International value for 

 beryllium. 



Boron. — The International atomic weight of boron is 

 11*00. The combination 2He + 3H gives this value exactly. 



Carbon. — The value of the atomic weight of carbon is 

 12*00, although the best chemical determinations indicate a 

 value slightly higher. The number 12*008, where the last 

 fioure may be smaller, may be obtained from the compound 

 2He + 4H. 



Kitroyen. — 2He + 6H gives a value 14*02. Values have 

 been obtained by experiment ranging from 14*05 (Stas) to 

 just below 14*01. At present this is the scheduled value, 

 but it is not regarded as certain. 



Oxygen. — 3He -f 4H gives 15*996, or 16*00, the value 

 proper to the accepted one for hydrogen. 



Fluorine. — The atomic weight of fluorine has not been de- 

 termined recently. It is given as 19*0, the second decimal 

 being small but uncertain. The combination 3He + 7H 

 gives 19*020. 



Seon. — The scheduled atomic weight of neon is 20*2, 

 Watson's recent determination giving 20*21. The com- 

 bination 6(Pf H) gives 20*21, and will be taken subsequently 



