New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-17
THE ULTIMATE CONSTITUTION or MATTER.

THE ULTIMATE CONSTITUTION OF BATIEh'
Roundless AZ are in general the fields of
scientific research, it would seem that we are
IN some directions, approaching the limits OF
human knowledge. These limits are yet far
distant. and their outlines, if indeed we do
see them at all, are but dimly visible. Vast
cbasms vet intervene, which future pioneers
NAV fill with substantial facts OF bridge with
magnificent hypothesis, and there is work
enonoh for many generations. But our pro-
gress increases in an acceleratlng ratio. AS the
light that broke forth in the days of Newton
and Calico was to the darkness of preceding
ages. so are the discoveries of the present
century, including the yibratOry theory of
light, the mechanical theory of heat, and the
developments of the specroScope, to all that
have gone before.
Tn a very able lecture delivered by Prof
Clerk Maxwell at the Bradford meeting of the
British Association for the Advancement OF
Science, and reported in full in Nature, an in
teresting resume is given of the most recent
researches in respect to the ultimate cOnstitu-
ton of matter The atomic theory assumes
that there is a point beyond which matter can
not be subdiyided; that il is composed OF
atoms of definite weight and form We have
not space for the arguments which support
this theory suffice it that no other hypothesis
offers an adequate explanation of the proper
tiOpal character of all chemical combinations,
or of many other physical phenomena A com
bination of atoms constitutes molecule, and
the molecule thus formed retains the perma-
nent. definite characteristics which are ascrlbed
TO the atom. A molecule is the smallest portion
into which any substance can be divided with
out losing its identity if the molecue is divided,
We have two or more substances instead of
one Thus, for.instance, if drop OF water
were divided into the smallest possible parti-
cles. those particles, still being water, would
he molecules of water; but if further divided
into their constituent gases, we should have
molecules or possibly atoms, of oxygen and
hydrogen. AS far as mechanical subdivision
il concerned, we have only to deal with mole
cules. We must now conceive OF these as
constantly in motion. II is not so difficult to
apprehend this in the case of gases; the
rapidity with which many odors penetrate the
atmosphere, even where there is no wind STIR
ring. affords an obvious illustration; yet In
this case the movements of the molecules
of the odorous substance are delayed at every
instant by colliding with the molecules OF the
air. themselves III motion at the rate OF about
seventeen miles minute. This motion is in
all directions The invisible molecules of air
are continually dashing upon our bodies with
n force that if applied to but one part at
time would strike it as blast from the mouth
of a cannon; but coming from every quarter,
within and without, above and below, behlndand
hefore their blows counterbalance each other.
Ue oct some notion of this motion when we
Increase il by heat, and obtain what we desig-
motto as An expansive force. Whether we heat
an iron bar till it lengthens, or volume of
air in an Ericsson engine, or create steam in
a boiler, we have merely increased the motion
90 The molecules. Millions upon millions of
them beating upon every square lnch OF the
cvlinder-head give it the motion that turns
the wheels of the steam-engine. The act OF
fraezIng furnishes an illustration OF the force
of movement of molecules IN liquids. The
FROST that cracks the water-pitcher, or bursts
the Croton pipe, is capable of rending noun
tains vet it is simply the blows struck
NV innumerablc particles which are rushing
~ arrange themselves in crystalline forms.
Those of us who saw at TyndalFs lectures the
shadows of the aggregating particles that
came into being as it were, out of the trans
narent liquid, and flew with eagerness across
the canvas to settle in geOmetrical shapes
unon the platinum poles, have some notion of
,ho nrocess for it seemed IA if we might
have almost heard as well as seen their violent
collisions.
Great as is the force thus indicated it is
limited and strictly measurable. If the in
closing vessel is of sufficiently enormous
strength to resist the polarizng movement of
the particles, water will not aud cannot freeze
at any degree of cold. The pressure of steam
at given temperatures is the same, whether its
molecules are obtained from tho seas of the
trop,cs or tho SHOWS of tho Dole. We NAV OK