Page:On an inversion of ideas as to the structure of the universe.djvu/14

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2
The outward facts of nature

(2) they must also allow of the transmission of light, such as is being transmitted through these windows, to be reflected or absorbed by the opposite wall;

(3) of the gravitation of matter, as when I drop this ball;

(4) of the (limited) cohesion of matter, on which the strength of our structures depend. Thus I can break this stick of sealing-wax, and when I warm the ends and bring them together, when cold it is as strong as before;

(5) of the elasticity of matter, as shown by the continued vibration of this spring;

(6) of the limited friction of matter, as is shown by the weight resting on the inclined plane until the inclination reaches a certain angle, when it slides down at an accelerating rate;

(7) of the viscosity of matter, as is shown by putting oil on the inclined plane, when the weight slides down slowly and at a steady rate;

(8) of the electric and magnetic properties of matter, shown by the absence of any affinity of the stick of sealing-wax for the paper until it is rubbed by silk, when it at once picks up the paper;

(9) of the freedoms and mutual constraints