Page:On an inversion of ideas as to the structure of the universe.djvu/26

 elasticity in the universe, and, hence, is the prime cause of the elasticity of matter.

The grains which are of definite size are inconceivably small; their diameters being—as measured by the wave-length of violet light—only the seven hundred thousand millionth part of the wave-length.

While the mean path of the grains, as compared with the diameter of the grain, is only the four hundred thousand millionth part of the diameter of the grain.

The mean relative velocity of the grains is about one and one-third feet per second.

These three quantities define the state of the medium in spaces where the piling is normal; and also define the mean density of the medium as being ten thousand times greater than that of water, or, as being four hundred and eighty times greater than that of the densest matter on the earth.

The mean pressure of the medium is nearly seven hundred and fifty thousand tons on the square inch, being more than three thousand times greater than the strongest material can sustain.

The coefficient of the transverse elasticity, resulting from the pressure and gearing of the