16 THOUGHTS ON NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. 
possible for this storage to take place, is in the increased 
speed of movement, and consequent differences of arrange- 
ment of the small portions of matter composing the chemical 
substances in the accumulators. When the stored up energy 
is run off by the current, to produce electric light, or in the 
performance of other electrical work, the speed of the 
portions runs down; and the chemical changes vary from 
that to this, and from this to that, as the energy is forced in 
or run off. A more convincing proof it would be difficult 
to find in science or nature. 
The term most likely to cause confusion in the mind of the 
reader in considering this theory is the well-known expres- 
sion, gravitation; but this is merely a word for a form of 
force not clearly comprehended by the users, and therefore 
to be deprecated as unsatisfying and unsatisfactory—it is, in 
fact, a non-explanation. An explanation may be found in 
the following ideas. The ether is matter, this is proved by 
abundant electrical phenomena, amongst the most interesting 
and convincing of which are, perhaps, those in connection 
with wireless telegraphy.* “ Hertz discovered that electrical 
oscillations, produced in a so-called open electric circuit ° 
possessing capacity and inductance, create in the surrounding 
ether a disturbance which is called an electric wave. This 
wave can be detected at a distance by means of devices which 
are now termed Cymoscopes or Wave Detectors.’’ Marconi, 
working on this basis laid by Hertz, utilised electric waves 
for telegraphic purposes. Marconi’s great discovery was 
the importance of the antenna, or aerial wire, and of the 
earth connection. In its earliest form his transmitting 
apparatus consisted of an induction coil, one secondary 
terminal being connected to a plate or cylinder of wire upheld 
hee Years of the Marconi System. By the Marconi Company, 
Limited. ay 
