The general opinion, I do not doubt, is that it is out of the question to reach any such frequencies as might—­assuming some of the views before expressed to be true—­produce any of the results which I have pointed out as mere possibilities.  This may be so, but in the course of these investigations, from the observation of many phenomena I have gained the conviction that these frequencies would be much lower than one is apt to estimate at first.  In a flame we set up light vibrations by causing molecules, or atoms, to collide.  But what is the ratio of the frequency of the collisions and that of the vibrations set up?  Certainly it must be incomparably smaller than that of the knocks of the bell and the sound vibrations, or that of the discharges and the oscillations of the condenser.  We may cause the molecules of the gas to collide by the use of alternate electric impulses of high frequency, and so we may imitate the process in a flame; and from experiments with frequencies which we are now able to obtain, I think that the result is producible with impulses which are transmissible through a conductor.

In connection with thoughts of a similar nature, it appeared to me of great interest to demonstrate the rigidity of a vibrating gaseous column.  Although with such low frequencies as, say 10,000 per second, which I was able to obtain without difficulty from a specially constructed alternator, the task looked discouraging at first, I made a series of experiments.  The trials with air at ordinary pressure led to no result, but with air moderately rarefied I obtain what I think to be an unmistakable experimental evidence of the property sought for.  As a result of this kind might lead able investigators to conclusions of importance I will describe one of the experiments performed.

It is well known that when a tube is slightly exhausted the discharge may be passed through it in the form of a thin luminous thread.  When produced with currents of low frequency, obtained from a coil operated as usual, this thread is inert.  If a magnet be approached to it, the part near the same is attracted or repelled, according to the direction of the lines of force of the magnet.  It occurred to me that if such a thread would be produced with currents of very high frequency, it should be more or less rigid, and as it was visible it could be easily studied.  Accordingly I prepared a tube about 1 inch in diameter and 1 metre long, with outside coating at each end.  The tube was exhausted to a point at which by a little working the thread discharge could be obtained.  It must be remarked here that the general aspect of the tube, and the degree of exhaustion, are quite different than when ordinary low frequency currents are used.  As it was found preferable to work with one terminal, the tube prepared was suspended from the end of a wire connected to the terminal, the tinfoil coating being connected to the wire, and to the lower coating sometimes a small insulated plate was attached.