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XXXIII. A Suggestion in regard to Crystallization, on the 

 Hypothesis that Molecules are not infinitely Hard. By S. 

 Tolver Preston*. 



IN what follows, it is assumed (1) that molecules are elastic. 

 This is not contradicted by any evidence, and is power- 

 fully supported by spectroscopic observations. (2) It is 

 assumed that molecules possess an open structure. This in- 

 ference is equally not opposed to any observed facts, and is 

 indeed strongly upheld by many. (3) The basis of the con- 

 stitution of the setter, developed by the present writer in the 

 Philosophical Magazine (Sept. and Nov. 1877, and Feb. 1878) 

 is taken as a groundwork. Briefly stated, according to this 

 the aether is to be regarded as a gas whose atoms are so small 

 that their mean length of path is far greater than any planetary 

 distances, the atoms automatically adjusting their motions 

 (according to principles investigated in connexion with the 

 kinetic theory of gases) so as to be capable of producing gra- 

 vity under the sheltering principle of Le Sage. 



Since the elementary ring] is evidently the simplest form of 

 open structure for a molecule, this form is taken (in the cases 

 to be considered). The rings (relatively very large) consti- 

 tuting the molecules of gross matter are, accordingly, to be 

 regarded as pervaded through and through (in their open 

 structure) by streams of minute aether atoms, which automa- 

 tically and inevitably adjust their motions so as to move equally 

 in all directions. If we conceive (for the purpose of illustra- 

 tion) a number of rings [molecules] to lie in one plane with 

 their peripheries touching, or very close, then, owing to their 

 adjacent parts being now sheltered from the streams of aether 

 atoms, which impinge with full energy elsewhere, the peri- 

 pheries of the rings will be impelled towards each other (ac- 

 cording to Le Sage's principle). As the ring molecules are 

 (by assumption) elastic, they will naturally bend, and the con- 

 tiguous surfaces will flatten (somewhat) under the powerful 

 impulsive action of the streams of aether atoms, which tend to 

 bring as much as possible of the mutually sheltered peripheries 



* Communicated by the Author. 



t I have before had occasion to remark that the common tacit assump- 

 tion of molecules being solid throughout involves a waste of material that 

 violates one of the first principles of large-scale architecture, where super- 

 fluity of material is recognized to be one of the worst faults, detrimental 

 alike to the elasticity and stability of the structure. Dynamical prin- 

 ciples are admittedly independent of scale. The elasticity of molecules 

 (demonstrated by the spectroscope) would also sufficiently indicate an open 

 structure, so as to allow a relative mobility of parts consistently with in- 

 separability. 



