406 On Electricity and its Present Applications. I July* 
The light produced in this way, then, though it appears to 
be continuous, is in reality only a succession of rapid flashes, 
running, as it were, into one. In this magical transforma- 
tion of' electricity into light the part performed by Vaporin 
is merely that of a mechanical slave, and which could be 
performed almost as well by the force of gravitation, by 
wind or water power, or by muscular strength. 
Though it has suited the drift of this paper to view 
Electron as a spirit specially belonging to the Earth, where 
we can most readily perceive and understand his agency, 
there can be no doubt that he extends throughout, and fills 
the universe itself, or at all events that he is co-extensive 
and homogeneous with light itself, which we know reaches 
us from the most inconceivable depths of space. And if we 
can only speculate in regard to most of his operations heie, 
how little can we know, or even conceive, of the entire pur- 
poses for which he is employed by the Almighty AichiteCt . 
If we can imagine any part of space to be devoid . ot 
matter, there Electron would exist in his pure and primitive 
condition as a pure spirit. But with his power of motion (at 
the rate of 576,000 miles per minute), wherever he comes in 
contact with the innumerable accretions of matter, whether 
great or small, so profusely scattered through space, he 
would become imbued with some minute portion of it ; and 
this, of course, is the form in which we have our expeiience 
of him. In some conditions of matter, as in the sun, foi 
instance, through means of the commotions and rearrange- 
ments in it which are continually taking place, and in which 
he no doubt plays an important part, he would become im- 
bued with a still larger— though yet inconceivably small- 
portion of it. And when reflected back from the sun, and 
now assuming the form of light, his motion would be retaided 
to one-third, or 192,000 miles per minute. The matter or 
material undulation thus diffused through space reaches our 
own planet, its motion being still further retarded by our 
atmosphere, in a form too attenuated to be identified by the 
most delicate chemical tests, though recognisable by the 
spectroscope. Yet, minute as it is, I believe it is continually 
contributing to the growth, and the health, and the beauty 
of all living things, as well as producing important changes 
in the inorganic world. 
An ingenious — and it may be said mysterious instrument, 
the Radiometer, invented by Mr. W. Crookes, F.R.S., seems 
to afford confirmation of the idea of the material character 
of light. It consists of four thin square aluminium plates, 
weighing about 2 grains, attached to and projecting at right 
