192 
The Organisation of Matter. 
[April, 
vibration as a normal condition, and matter enters the liquid 
state at a considerably less reduction of temperature than 
that required to produce the solid state. 
Throughout the whole process one general principle holds 
good — a constant tendency to homogeneity. Motion be- 
comes more and more regular from the ether to the solid. 
It first becomes regular and centripetal in its energies in the 
atom. Then the irregular mass motions of atoms become 
reduced by their aggregation into molecules. The irregular 
motions of gas molecules become partly regular in the liquid 
form, and wholly so in the solid ; for it is probable that in 
the interior of a crystal attraction is the only mode of 
energy, the vibratory swing of the particles being synchro- 
nous, so that no contact takes place between them. In such 
regular solids, therefore, it is probable that the molecules 
are arranged with complete regularity, that impact force 
occurs only at their point of contact with exterior sub- 
stances, and that in their interior conditions only the centri- 
petal energy of attraction is exercised. 
In the original formation of the spheres a complete 
homogeneity of the mass might have prevented the liquid 
condition of rotation being assumed, the mass gradually 
condensing and solidifying, without assuming rotation either 
as a whole or in its minor portions. But such homogeneity 
is practically impossible in any large aggregation, and the 
liquid phase of matter, therefore, always precedes the solid. 
On conversion of the gas into the liquid form a certain 
result arises as a necessary consequence of the changed 
relations of the molecules. In the gas they possess a 
vigorous centrifugal energy. Their motive vigour is con- 
stantly exercised in beating back the surrounding molecules, 
so that each retains for itself a considerable free field of 
action. As pressure increases and its field of adtion dimi- 
nishes, its number of impadts increases in accordance, so 
that its resistance remains in equilibrium with the pressure. 
But on reduction to the liquid state this centrifugal energy 
is suddenly converted into centripetal. The resistance is 
greatly reduced, while the pressure remains the same. Thus 
the liquid mass becomes greatly condensed, the particles 
being driven inwards towards the centre around which they 
rotate. Yet in the liquid we find a condition that does not 
exist in either the gas or the solid. In the former, increased 
pressure condenses the mass by reducing the field of move- 
ment of the molecules and increasing their number of 
impadts. In the latter it condenses the mass by raising the 
pitch of vibration, or causing the molecules to move more 
