﻿Principles of Molecular Physics. 99 



Philosophical Magazine. To this I propose to reply, and at the 

 same time to remark incidentally upon some of the fundamental 

 principles of the theory advanced by Professor Bayma. This 

 can be most briefly and effectively done by taking up the differ- 

 ent 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. 



A great number of scientific men, to give an explanation of calo- 

 rific, electric, and luminous phenomena, assume that aether pervades 

 all ponderable bodies ; whence many of them have come to the con- 

 clusion that every molecule of a body is surrounded by an aethereal 

 atmosphere, the action of which is considered to be the source of 

 those phenomena. Professor W. A. Norton, in a series of interesting 

 articles published in the American Journal, gives a theory of mole- 

 cular physics, of which the fundamental principle is that each mole- 

 cule is formed by an atom of ponderable matter surrounded by two 

 aethereal atmospheres of a different kind. I give his words. 



" The established truths and generally received ideas which form 

 the basis of the theory are as follows : — 



" 1st. All the phenomena of material nature result from the action 

 of force upon matter. 



"2nd. All the forces in operation in nature are traceable to two 

 primary forces, viz. attraction and repulsion. 



"3rd. All bodies of matter consist of separate indivisible parts 

 called atoms, each of which is conceived to be spherical in form. 



" 4th. Matter exists in three forms essentially different from eaph 

 other. These are (1) ordinary or gross matter, of which all bodies 

 of matter directly detected by our senses either wholly or chiefly 

 consist. (2) A subtile fluid, or aether, associated with ordinary mat- 

 ter, by the intervention of which all electrical phenomena originate or 

 are produced. This electric cether, as it may be termed, is attracted 

 by ordinary matter, while its individual atoms repel each other. 

 (3) A still more subtile form of aether, which pervades all space and 

 the interstices between the atoms of bodies. This is the medium by 

 which light is propagated, and is called the luminiferous (Ether, or the 

 universal cether. The atoms, or • atomettes ' of this aether mutu- 

 ally repel each other ; and it is attracted by ordinary matter, and is 

 consequently more dense in the interior of bodies than in free space. 



" 5th. Heat, in all its recognized actions on matter, manifests 

 itself as a force of repulsion. 



" The corner stone of a physical theory of molecular phenomena 

 must consist in the conception that is formed of the essential consti- 

 tution of a single molecule — understanding by a molecule an atom 

 of ordinary matter, endued with the properties and invested with the 

 arrangements which enable it to exert forces of attraction and repul- 

 sion upon other molecules. In seeking for this, the most philoso- 

 phical course that can be pursued is to follow out to their legitimate 



conclusions the general principles already laid down The 



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