644 



SCIENCE. 



[X. S. Vol. XXI. Xo. 539. 



moleci;lar phenomena are understood, the 

 marvels of the intra-atomic physics have 

 amazed a decade accustomed to wonders. 



One form of matter may be converted 

 into another. Accepting for the sake of 

 argument that this transformation may 

 even take place among the elements, and 

 it is by no means necessary that we do, we 

 may abide a while longer with the idea of 

 the discontinuity of matter. Our atomic 

 base may be shifted, which is just as well, 

 but with our conscious powers and experi- 

 mental observations, we are not yet ready 

 to say that something is made up of noth- 

 ing. Matter occupies space and has 

 weight. 



We may, therefore, for the time being 

 disregard the metaphysical energism of 

 Ostwald, to revert to it again. Through 

 the basic studies of thermo-dynamics by 

 Willard Gibbs we arrive at the equilibrium 

 in physical and chemical systems. Lord 

 Kelvin, considering the dissipation of 

 energy, reached the logical conclusion that 

 permanent equilibrium occurs only when 

 availability is a minimum. A point I de- 

 sire to make, particularly, here is that the 

 limiting brain of man finites the infinite 

 in his experiments or actual experience. 



We know life only in its association with 

 matter. Yet it is not matter, it occupies 

 no space, has no weight, as we know grav- 

 ity. The dead cat is under the same 

 gravitational influence as before the loss 

 of the traditional nine lives. A copper 

 wire weighs the same whether the current 

 pass or not. A bar of iron neither gains 

 nor loses in mass when it is magnetized. 



These latter can do work; they have 

 energy. The analogy— a dangerous thing 

 not alone in science — is striking. 



We know no matter without energy. Do 

 we know any energy except through its 

 manifestation on matter? 



The brilliant metaphysical teachings of 

 Ostwald demand our utmost consideration, 



whether we give allegiance or not. In ab- 

 stract, his reasoning asserts that we are 

 aware of matter only through energy. 

 Matter is an assemblage of energy systems; 

 there is no matter. All resolves itself into 

 the mechanics of energy. Life, electricity, 

 heat are elementary energy systems, having 

 definite capacity and intensity, as chemical 

 entities with their equivalents represent 

 our atomic conceptions. 



Is life energy? We know of no mani- 

 festation of life without evidence of en- 

 ergy. It does not necessarily follow that 

 all energy is accompanied by life demon- 

 strations. I am not sure but we shall yet 

 see that energy manifestations include life. 



A stone rolling from an elevated position 

 has kinetic energy by virtue of its motion. 

 If its progress be checked by an obstacle in 

 its path the translational energy is con- 

 verted into heat energy. One form is con- 

 verted into another. There is no loss of 

 energy. If the obstacle be removed the 

 body continues its descent. An impulse 

 was necessary. At rest it possessed poten- 

 tial energy by reason of its position. To 

 acquire that position equal muscular or 

 other form of energy was necessary. There 

 was no gain of energy. That depended 

 upon the combustion of the tissues, a chem- 

 ical process, chemical energy. We are ac- 

 customed to the idea that all energy may be 

 measured either as gram-centimeters or as 

 foot-pounds, merely convenient units into 

 which other terms are easily reducible. 

 Considering life from the energy point of 

 view Hibbert says, 'All other forms of 

 energy can be measured in foot-pounds of 

 work.' Therefore, life is not energy. 



I am not altogether sure that we have 

 measured the energy of the Rontgen rays. 

 The charge on the cathode particle was the 

 recent fundamental determination guiding 

 J. J. Thomson. Rutherford has just suc- 

 ceeded in learning the positive charge on 

 the alpha-particle from radium. These 



