1901 - 2 .] Mr J. Fraser on Constitution of Matter and Ether. 53 
their atomic weights, and their union so close that their molecules 
are almost unable to vibrate, the motion of each atom being as 
that of a child in the grip of a giant, we can see the reason for the 
results of his experiments. Radiant heat , according to this theory, 
would affect only the vibrations of molecules, and it would not 
affect their translatory motion at all. Waves of radiant heat 
synchronising with the vibrations of molecules would be absorbed 
by them, each wave adding its energy to that of the preceding one ; 
and evidently, the greater the amplitude of vibration, the greater 
the absorption.* It may very well be, then, that the small 
absorptive and radiative powers of the gases hydrogen, oxygen, 
nitrogen, and dry air is owing to the close union of their atoms 
preventing vibration. 
Now, after radiating a quantity of heat away, gases would begin 
to liquefy. In other words, their molecules would begin to unite. 
The liquid state being, I take it, where a great number of 
contiguous molecules would be momentarily united, the least force 
separating them again, to temporarily unite immediately afterwards 
with others in their vicinity, and so on; their motion being as 
yet too violent to admit of permanent union in the solid form. 
This form is only attained after a further cooling, and it appears 
to consist in all the molecules being united to others at various 
points in a sort of honeycomb pattern, and vibrating in and out, 
concertina-fashion, in all directions. 
It is not my intention to try to account for the various 
temperatures at which bodies will change their state from the 
gas to the liquid or solid ; I shall content myself merely by 
pointing out, as it appears to me, the general principle governing 
the change. It appears to me, then, that the amount of grip 
left by the atoms, after their union to form molecules, will be 
the chief factor in the problem. It will be evident that the 
atoms of molecules may be united so closely or loosely, depending 
on their sizes and squeezability, that various quantities of grip 
will be left for the attachment of the molecules themselves. The 
* It is clear that absorption must be brought about in the inverse way to 
radiation. Radiation means a crowding together of the ethereal particles by 
the energy resident in the molecule ; absorption is brought about by the 
energy in the wave ; the wave strikes the atom on one side only, the opposite 
side being, at least, partly shielded by its partner in the molecule, and in this 
way motion towards its partner is produced. 
