Page:Experimental researches in chemistry and.djvu/407

392 approach more and more to the truth of nature, and in the fulness of time coincide with it.

The phenomena of light itself are, however, the best and closest tests at present of the undulatory theory; and if that theory is hereafter to extend to and include other actions, the most effectual means of enabling it to do so will be to render its application to its own special phenomena clear and sufficient. At present the most instructed persons are, I suppose, very far from perceiving the full and close coincidence between all the facts of light and the physical account of them which the theory supplies. If perfect, the theory would be able to give a reason for every physical affection of light; whilst it does not do so, the affections are in turn fitted to develope the theory, to extend and enlarge it if true, or if in error to correct it or replace it by a better. Hence my plea for the possible utility of experiments and considerations such as those I am about to advance.

Light has a relation to the matter which it meets with in its course, and is affected by it, being reflected, deflected, transmitted, refracted, absorbed, &c. by particles very minute in their dimensions. The theory supposes the light to consist of undulations, which, though they are in one sense continually progressive, are at the same time, as regards the particles of the ether, to and fro transversely. The number of progressive alternations or waves in an inch is considered as known, being from 37,600 to 59,880, and the number which passes to the eye in a second of time is known also, being from 458 to 727 billions; but the extent of the lateral excursion of the particles of the ether, either separately or conjointly, is not known, though both it and the velocity are probably very small compared to the extent of the wave and the velocity of its propagation. Colour is identified with the number of waves. Whether reflexion, refraction, &c., have any relation to the extent of the lateral vibration, or whether they are dependent in part upon some physical action of the medium unknown to and unsuspected by us, are points which I understand to be as yet undetermined.

Conceiving it very possible that some experimental evidence of value might result from the introduction into a ray of separate particles having great power of action on light, the particles being at the same time very small as compared to the wavelengths, I sought amongst the metals for such. Gold seemed