1871.] Molecules, Ultimates, Atoms, and Waves. 349 



Now that it is proved by mechanical tests to be a fact in 

 nature (and if a fact, it is impossible to exaggerate its im- 

 portance to physiology and the light it must throw upon the 

 obscure laws of life, of mind, and the science of medicine) 

 it cannot fail to command the immediate and most earnest 

 examination and discussion by physiologists and by all 

 who take an interest in that knowledge of "man," which 

 has been truly termed " the noblest study of mankind.'! 

 To avoid the appearance of any foregone conclusion, I 

 would recommend the adoption of some appropriate name, 

 and I venture to suggest that the force be termed the Psychic 

 Force; the persons in whom it is manifested in extraordinary 

 power Psychics ; and the science relating to it Psychism, as 

 being a branch of Psychology. 



K Permit me, also, to propose the early formation of a 

 Psychological Society, purposely for the promotion of the 

 study by means of experiment, papers, and discussion, of 

 that hitherto neglected Science. — I am, &c, 



Ed WD, Wm. Cox. 

 To W. Crookes, Esq., F.R.S. 



VI. MOLECULES, ULTIMATES, ATOMS, AND 

 WAVES. 



By Mungo Ponton, F.R.S. E. 



(Continued from p. 176). 



Part II. 



tHE better to understand this subject it is well to have 

 before the mind some definite conceptions respecting 

 the luminiferous ether and its waves. The phenomena 

 of heat, light, actinism, and fluorescence render it needful to 

 assume the existence of an infinite ocean of ether, in which 

 all ponderable bodies subsist. Each particle of this ethereal 

 medium must be supposed to have a normal position in space 

 from which it never departs, beyond the minute distance in- 

 volved in a vibration. The ethereal particles must also be 

 supposed to repel each other with an enormous energy, 

 which, when they are disturbed, restores them in an incon- 

 ceivably short space of time to their points of rest. Never- 

 theless, as this energy must act on every particle equally in 

 all directions, any one or more of them may be moved from 

 their points of rest by the application of a very slight extra- 



