According to M. Blondlot the N rays can be polarised, refracted, and
dispersed, while they have wavelengths comprised within .0030 micron,
and .0760 micron--that is to say, between an eighth and a fifth of
that found for the extreme ultra-violet rays. They might be, perhaps,
simply rays of a very short period. Their existence, stripped of the
parasitical and somewhat singular properties sought to be attributed
to them, would thus appear natural enough. It would, moreover, be
extremely important, and lead, no doubt, to most curious applications;
it can be conceived, in fact, that such rays might serve to reveal
what occurs in those portions of matter whose too minute dimensions
escape microscopic examination on account of the phenomena of
diffraction.
From whatever point of view we look at it, and whatever may be the
fate of the discovery, the history of the N rays is particularly
instructive, and must give food for reflection to those interested in
questions of scientific methods.
Sec. 6. THE ETHER AND GRAVITATION
The striking success of the hypothesis of the ether in optics has, in
our own days, strengthened the hope of being able to explain, by an
analogous representation, the action of gravitation.
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