The central globe repeats that of boron, with an additional four-atomed sphere in the middle.

SCANDIUM:  3 funnels (A) of 140 atoms 420
          3 " (B) of 116 " 348
          Centre globe 24
                                      ——­
                               Total 792
                                      ——­
          Atomic weight 43.78
          Number weight 792/18 44.00
YTTRIUM (Plate XI, 3).  Here we have a quite new arrangement of bodies
within the funnel—­the funnel being of one type only.  Two “cigars” whirl on
their own axes in the centre near the top, while four eight-atomed globes
(see 4 e) chase each other in a circle round them, spinning madly on
their own axes—­this axial spinning seems constant in all contained
bodies—­all the time.  Lower down in the funnel, a similar arrangement is
seen, with a globe (see 4 d)—­a nitrogen element—­replacing the “cigars,”
and six-atomed ovoids replacing the globes.

The “nitrogen balloon” occupies the third place in the funnel, now showing its usual shape in combination, while the b globe (see 4 b) of scandium takes on a lengthened form below it.

The central globe presents us with two tetrahedra, recalling one of the combinations in gold (see Plate VII d), and differing from that only by the substitution of two quartets for the two triplets in gold.

One funnel of yttrium contains exactly the same number of atoms as is contained in a gaseous atom of nitrogen.  Further, a, b, and d are all nitrogen elements.  We put on record these facts, without trying to draw any conclusions from them.  Some day, we—­or others—­may find out their significance, and trace through them obscure relations.

YTTRIUM:  6 funnels of 261 atoms 1566
         Central globe 40
                                     ——­
                             Total 1606
                                     ——­
         Atomic weight 88.34
         Number weight 1606/18 89.22
The corresponding negative group, of nitrogen, vanadium and niobium, is
rendered particularly interesting by the fact that it is headed by
nitrogen, which—­like the air, of which it forms so large a part—­pervades
so many of the bodies we are studying.  What is there in nitrogen which
renders it so inert as to conveniently dilute the fiery oxygen and make it
breathable, while it is so extraordinarily active in some of its compounds
that it enters into the most powerful explosives?  Some chemist of the
future, perhaps, will find the secret in the arrangement of its constituent
parts, which we are able only to describe.

[Illustration:  PLATE XII.]