Evolution and Devolution of the Elements. 49 
atomic weights of group II., and may compare them with 
those given in the international table : — 
Value from International 
Element. formula. yalue. 
Proto-bery Ilium 1*3 — 
Beryllium 9*2 9*1 
Magnesium 24*1 24*36 
Calcium 40-1 404 
Strontium 87*7 87*6 
Barium 137*5 137'4 
Proto-radium (Thulium?). . 171*9 171 
Eadium 223*9 225 
It is noteworthy that the value obtained by the foregoing 
formula for the element which precedes radium is 171*9. 
This is in close agreement with the usually accepted value 
for thulium, and thus substantiates the position in which we 
have placed it. In addition, putting p=l and n=l, we 
obtain the value 1*3 for the atomic weight of the element 
preceding beryllium. This is in agreement with the fact that 
this weight should lie between 1 and 4, and the actual value 
is probable, when viewed in the light of considerations which 
are to follow. 
Before proceeding we may draw attention to some 
interesting facts concerning our original series for eyolution, 
viz., 6, 16, 52, or as we wrote it : — 
6 = (l+2 + 3) 
16 = (l + 2 + 3) + (l + 2 + 3 + 4) 
52 = (l + 2 + 3) + Q + 2 + 3 + 4 ) +0- + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5) 
+ (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6). 
There is one term of 6, two of 16, and four of 52, but in 
the growth of the elements as shown by the table, there is 
one growth of 6, two of 16, and four of 52. 
Moreover, in term 1 there are three digits, and though in 
the first row of our table there are four elements, yet of these 
only three are electrically valent. 
Again in term 2 there are seven digits, and seven 
electrically valent elements in the next two rows of 
the table. 
In term 3 there are eighteen digits, and in the last rows of 
the table there are seventeen electrically valent elements, and 
this perhaps points to a relationship between the number of 
the digits in the above series, and number of electrically 
valent elements, in the corresponding rows of the table. 
Stating this in another manner, the increase in the number 
Phil Mag. S. 6. Vol. 15. No. 85. Jan. 1908. E 
