Page:The fairy tales of science.djvu/78

 human beings. These jewel-forming atoms are much to be pitied, though they give themselves great airs, and sneer at their unaristocratic relations. I would a hundred times rather be the roving atom that I am, than one of the molecules of the Koh-i-noor itself.

"When the world was young I led a very steady life. I remember forming part of a huge mass of rock which was built up of atoms of carbon, oxygen, and calcium. For ages I never saw the light, and remained in ignorance as to the existence of anything besides the atoms which surrounded me. Fortunately I was situated very near the surface of the rock, and in course of time the atoms above me were removed, probably by the drops of water which fell from the heavens.

"Never shall I forget the delight I experienced on first beholding the outer world! I thought I should never be able to bear the brilliant sunlight, which dazzled me so that it was some time before I could make out the separate features of the scene. How beautiful, how grand everything seemed! and yet the landscape that was then unfolded before me was unenlivened by organic forms; there was not a tree to be seen—not so much as a blade of grass—life had but just dawned upon the globe. The rock of which I was a constituent, was part of an island, and from my station I could see the