New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-04
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
POSSIBILITIES OF THE X RAY.
PREVIOUS DISCOVERIES IN THE SAME LINE AND
pOGsrpIc rr-rr-pE oSl-c

fOsSlbLh FUTURE oNf-s.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: 1t Is well known that when sunlight falls on
red glass the of the rays are thrown ASIDE and
only red rays pass through the red glass: and when
It falls on blue glass only the blue rays can get
through In this way simple light Is readily so-
lated and enabled TO manifest its special prop
critics. Clear glass allows light rays TO pass
through 1t. but not heat rays: conversely. lamp
black let's the heat through but not the light.
What then cathode rays II not isolated special
light OF great intensity? And what is the ray
but light still more intense chat is. what would be
light to eyes adapted to IT, separated from the
cathode rays at the spot where they mpinge on the
glass walls OF the charged Crookes tube?
The basal fact OF the new discovery is that OF a
successful isolation and utilization OF specific wave
motion OF vibratory action and progression called
the ray Needfu conditions have been discovered
and provided under which the Y ray Is far
isolated as to enable II to work Independently
enough to produce the unique results become
popular. Doubtless the marvellous Y must
have been active previously. but the effects were
masked and not separated and not independently
recognized. red and blue do not appear in I'M
separated sunlight.
BY separation from its close associates the Y
ray manifests It's own active capabilities There is
cooperate still; but 1t now does its own share OF
measuraby independent work. Its subtle, free
energy proves TO that II penetrate flesh
paper and wood; but not bone or metal. Set to
work photographing through complex structures
only partially transparent to Itself. 1t leaves the
non-traEsparent parts In shadows more and less
dense. But the ordinary sunlight. and each one Of
Its prism separated rays, properly directed and
enabled act through glass. inclosing paper or
wood. Will produce parallel though TO us and the
dumb animals perhaps not as useful. shadow effects
in photography The different free energies are not
constituted to pass through the same partially
solid bodies with equal facility, and Of course man
kind cannot utilize them all for the same very de-
slrable purposes.
All hail to the wonderful Y ray. 1t points to
more light than IL is able 10 scatter on its own
the last very clever. newly introduced member Of
the numberless ray family; each having a distinct
character and province OF Its own. The lately dis
covered element argon. mpeed TO the discovery
of heum. Some immortal will one day-very soon
possibly-succeed In capturing and guiding the yet
more tran.cendrntal ray. and yet another, the
most transcendental ray. Even then the list Will
not be completed. II reasoning from analogy counts
for anything The mysteries once believed 10 be
insolube every day open out 10 clear vision In
the pathway OF new light precisely as other flowers
unfold and blossom In the face OF added sunshine
and warmth Demonstrably TO mankind. the only
end is endlessness.
In a universe Ike this one. OF proved mathe-
msticaily adap pied forces each group has a per-
sst!ng character OF It's own. and functions OF Its
the rest OF this fraternity. may yet prove to he
little undivided simple knots OF energies. each with
a constitution definite effective In Its own way
even az marvellous In special activities. when we
learn how 10 direct them. as this wonder working
ray, toward which are all looking with re-
newed hope and expectation
ANTOINETTE BROWN BLACKWELL.
New-York March 3d. 1926.