6i 7 
1880.] The Vehicle of Force. 
and to the cylindrical core of the ring. But in every circle 
of motion the opposite arcs move reversely, and must there- 
fore repel, producing a centrifugal force. Of these two 
forces the centripetal must be the strongest, since its influ- 
ence is exerted at the least distances, but the density of the 
mass and the diameter of the ring must be a resultant of 
the action of these opposed forces. 
The energy of such an atomic mass would depend not 
upon its quantity of substance, but upon its momentum. 
If all force is dependent upon motion instead of upon 
matter, two atoms widely differing in material contents 
might be equal in vigour if their momentums were equal. 
Atoms may thus be almost infinitely minute, and the total 
quantity of matter in the universe be insignificant. So long 
as a fixed energy of motion exists it is unimportant what 
quantity of matter serves as its vehicle. 
This atom motion is possibly of extreme rapidity, consti* 
tuting a vigorous momentum, and forming the main fadtor 
in the general sum of gravitative force. On the supposition 
that atoms are minute masses rotating around a central 
axis, they must in reality constitute small magnets, the 
directive force arising from their motion fulfilling all the 
requisites of the eledtric currents of Ampere. If one pole 
of the axis of motion be presented, the whole axial mo- 
mentum of the atom must exercise an attractive energy. 
If the other pole be presented the momentum must a dt 
repulsively. (If the atom be really a vortex ring, its vortex 
motion must produce special deviations in these results.) 
If the equatorial plane be presented attraction and repulsion 
would not necessarily become neutralised. One half the 
momentum would oppose the adtion of the other half, but 
one half would be nearer the substance adted upon than the 
other half, so that one or the other energy would be in 
excess. It is probably this excess which constitutes the 
innate attractive force of atoms, considered without reference 
to their magnetic augmentation of force. The latter pro- 
bably adts vigorously in the chemical relations of atoms, 
and causes the atoms composing molecules and masses to 
arrange themselves under the control of local influences, 
and without special regard to cosmical influences. Yet this 
would not necessarily hinder their cosmical relations conti- 
nuing fixed in degree and direction. 
For the combinations of atoms into molecules are never 
irregular. The crystallising tendency which controls the 
minor aggregations of masses doubtless controls still more 
vigorously the formation of molecules. The minute elements 
