﻿104 Prof. W. A. Norton on the Fundamental 



matter comprises already not only the central element of a molecule, 

 but its nuclei and its envelope ; and consequently is already endued 

 with the properties and invested with the arrangements which 

 enable it to exert forces of attraction and repulsion upon other mole- 

 cules, without requiring any new and special atmosphere of elec- 

 tric or luminiferous aether. 



That is, in other words, as already shown, Professor Bayma' s 

 nucleus and envelope are in all outward relations precisely cor- 

 respondent to my central atom and electric atmosphere. The 

 only essential point of difference between us lies in the fact that 

 I conceive that the interstitial luminiferous aether is condensed 

 around the central atom, and is concerned in the production of 

 some of the phenomena. It is not easy to see how Professor 

 Bayma escapes the conclusion that his interstitial aether, which 

 is attracted by the central nucleus, is condensed around it ; still 

 it is plain that he imagines that all natural phenomena are pro- 

 duced by the mutual actions of molecules composed of a central 

 nucleus and a single repulsive envelope without the intervention 

 of any aether, except the luminiferous in the case of the pheno- 

 mena of light and radiant heat. This will appear from the fol- 

 lowing quotation : — 



As for the examples by which he illustrates the theory, they con- 

 sist of a series of phenomena of different kinds, the explanation of 

 which does not show that the theory is not at fault. For it must be 

 remarked that those explanations do not imply the existence of ex- 

 tended atoms or of two distinct aathereal substances; and therefore 

 the theory assumes more than is necessary for, or guaranteed by, the 

 explanation of phenomena. 



When he has shown this to be true of even the ordinary calo- 

 rific and electric phenomena, we will admit that his objection to 

 a second eethereal atmosphere interpenetrating the first may 

 have some force. He has given no hint of the general manner 

 in which he supposes electric phenomena to be evolved. Heat 

 he conceives to originate in the vibrations of the molecules of 

 bodies; but it can be proved, almost to a demonstration, that 

 heat cannot originate in this manner. 



Our author proceeds as follows : — 



The atoms of gross matter being " indivisible" cannot be extended, 

 and cannot be conceived to be " spherical in form ;" for if they were 

 extended and indivisible they would be so many pieces of continuous 

 matter, which we have already proved to be impossible. 



To this I have the following replies to offer : — 

 1. Professor Bayma assumes that every point of matter acts 

 instantaneously upon every other point at all distances, however 

 great or small, with a force having the same character at all dis- 



