THE ETHER OF SPACE standing problems in optics are being rap- idly solved, now that we have the means of defi- nitely exciting light with a full perception of what we are doing, and of the precise mode of its vibration. It remains to find out how to shorten down the waves—to hurry up the vibration until the light becomes visible. Nothing is wanted but quicker modes of vibration, Smaller oscillators must be used—very much smaller—oscillators not much bigger than molecules. In all probability—one may almost say certainly—ordinary light is the result of electric oscillation in the molecules or atoms of hot bodies, or sometimes of bodies not hot—as in the phenomenon of phosphorescence, The direct generation of visible light by electric means, so soon as we have learnt how to attain the necessary frequency of vibration, will have most important practical consequences; and that matter is initially dealt with in a sec- tion on the Manufacture of Light, § 149, in Chapter XIV of Modern Views of Electricity. But here we abandon further consideration of this aspect of our great subject.