IX.
We have now to consider the breaking up of the octahedral groups, and more and more, as we proceed, do we find that the most complicated arrangements are reducible to simple elements which are already familiar.
Carbon ([Plate III], 5, and [XV], 1).
Carbon is the typical octahedron, and a clear understanding of this will enable us to follow easily the constitution and disintegration of the various members of these groups. Its appearance as a chemical atom is shown on [Plate III], and see [XV], 1. On the proto level the chemical atom breaks up into four segments, each consisting of a pair of funnels connected by a single atom; this is the proto element which appears at the end of each arm of the cross in titanium and zirconium. On the meta level the five six-atomed "cigars" show two neutral combinations, and the truncated "cigar" of five atoms is also neutral; the "leaves" yield two forms of triplet, five different types being thus yielded by each pair of funnels, exclusive of the linking atom. The hyper level has triplets, duads and units.
Titanium ([Plate III], 6, and [XV], 2, 3).
On the proto level, the cross breaks up completely, setting free the pairs of funnels with the linking atom (a and b), as in carbon, the four bodies marked c, the twelve marked d, and the central globe marked e. The latter breaks up again, setting free its five intersecting cigar-bearing tetrahedra, which follow their usual course (see Occultum, [p. 44]). The eight-atomed body in the centre makes a ring of seven atoms round a central one, like that in occultum (see p. 44, diagram B), from which it only differs in having the central atom, and breaks up similarly, setting the central atom free. The ovoid c sets free its four contained globes, and the ovoid d sets free the three within it. Thus sixty-one proto elements are yielded by titanium. On the meta level, c (titanium 3) breaks up into star-like and cruciform bodies; the component parts of these are easily followed; on the hyper level, of the four forms of triplets one behaves as in carbon, and the others are shown, a, b and f; the cruciform quintet yields a triplet and a duad, c and d; the tetrahedra yield two triplets g and h, and two units; the septet, a triplet k and a quartet j. On the meta level, the bodies from d behave like their equivalents in sodium, each d shows two quartets and a sextet, breaking up, on the hyper level, into four duads and two triads.
Zirconium ([Plate XV], 2, 5).
Zirconium reproduces in its c the four forms that we have already followed in the corresponding c of titanium, and as these are set free on the proto level, and follow the same course on the meta and hyper levels, we need not repeat them. The central globe of zirconium c sets free its nine contained bodies; eight of these are similar and are figured in the diagram; it will be observed that the central body is the truncated "cigar" of carbon; their behaviour on the meta and hyper levels is easily followed there. The central sphere is also figured; the cigar follows its usual course, and its companions unite into a sextet and an octet. The d ovoid liberates five bodies, four of which we have already seen in titanium, as the crosses and sextet of sodium, and which are figured under titanium; the four quartets within the larger globe also follow a sodium model, and are given again.
Silicon ([Plate XVI], 1).
In silicon, the ovoids are set free from the funnels on the proto level, and the truncated "cigar," playing the part of a leaf, is also liberated. This, and the four "cigars," which escape from their ovoids, pass along their usual course. The quintet and quartet remain together, and form a nine-atomed body on the meta level, yielding a sextet and a triplet on the hyper.
Germanium ([Plate XVI], 2, 4).
The central globe, with its two "cigar"-bearing tetrahedra, need not delay us; the tetrahedra are set free and follow the occultum disintegration, and the central four atoms is the sodium cross that we had in titanium. The ovoids ([XVI], 4) are liberated on the proto level, and the "cigar," as usual, bursts its way through and goes along its accustomed path. The others remain linked on the meta level, and break up into two triangles and a quintet on the hyper.
Tin ([Plate XVI], 3, 4).
Here we have only the spike to consider, as the funnels are the same as in germanium, and the central globe is that of titanium, omitting the eight atomed centre. The cone of the spike we have had in silver (see [p. 729], May), and it is set free on the proto level. The spike, as in zinc, becomes a large sphere, with the single septet in the centre, the remaining six bodies circling round it on differing planes. They break up as shown. (Tin is Sn.)
Iron ([Plate IV], I, and [XVII], 3).
We have already dealt with the affinities of this peculiar group, and we shall see, in the disintegration, even more clearly, the close relationships which exist according to the classification which we here follow.
The fourteen bars of iron break asunder on the proto level, and each sets free its contents—a cone and three ovoids, which as usual, become spheres. The twenty-eight-atomed cone becomes a four-sided figure, and the ovoids show crystalline contents. They break up, on the meta level as shown in the diagram, and are all reduced to triplets and duads on the hyper level.
Cobalt ([Plate XVII], 4).
The ovoids in cobalt are identical with those of iron; the higher ovoids, which replace the cone of iron, show persistently the crystalline forms so noticeable throughout this group.
Nickel ([Plate XVII], 5).
The two additional atoms in a bar, which alone separate nickel from cobalt, are seen in the upper sphere of the central ovoid.
Ruthenium ([Plate XVIII], 1).
The lower ovoids in ruthenium are identical in composition, with those of iron, cobalt and nickel and may be studied under Iron. The upper ones only differ by the addition of a triplet.
Rhodium ([Plate XVIII], 2).
Rhodium has a septet, which is to be seen in the c of titanium (see k in the titanium diagram) and differs only in this from its group.
Palladium ([Plate XVIII], 3).
In palladium this septet appears as the upper sphere in every ovoid of the upper ring.
Osmium ([Plate XVIII], 4).
We have here no new constituents; the ovoids are set free on the proto level and the contained globes on the meta, all being of familiar forms. The cigars, as usual, break free on the proto level, and leave their ovoid with only four contained spheres, which unite into two nine-atomed bodies as in silicon (see above).
Iridium ([Plate XVIII], 5.)
The twenty-one-atomed cone of silver here reappears, and its proceedings may be followed under that metal (see diagram, [p. 729], May). The remaining bodies call for no remark.
Platinum ([Plate XVIII], 6).
Again the silver cone is with us. The remaining bodies are set free on the proto level, and their contained spheres on the meta.
Lithium ([Plate IV], 2, and [XIX], 1).
Here we have some new combinations, which recur persistently in its allies. The bodies a, in Plate XIX, 1, are at the top and bottom of the ellipse; they come to right and left of it in the proto state, and each makes a twelve-atomed body on the meta level.
The five bodies within the ellipse, three monads and two sextets, show two which we have had before: d, which behaves like the quintet and quartet in silicon, after their junction, and b, which we have had in iron. The two bodies c are a variant of the square-based pyramid, one atom at the apex, and two at each of the other angles. The globe, e, is a new form, the four tetrahedra of the proto level making a single twelve-atomed one on the meta. The body a splits up into triplets on the hyper; b and d follow their iron and silicon models; c yields four duads and a unit; e breaks into four quartets.
Potassium ([Plate XIX], 2).
Potassium repeats the lithium spike; the central globe shows the "nitrogen balloon," which we already know, and which is surrounded on the proto level with six tetrahedra, which are set free on the meta and behave as in cobalt. Hence we have nothing new.
Rubidium ([Plate XIX], 3).
Again the lithium spike, modified slightly by the introduction of an ovoid, in place of the top sphere; the forms here are somewhat unusual, and the triangles of the sextet revolve round each other on the meta level; all the triads break up on the hyper level into duads and units.
Fluorine ([Plate IV], 3, and Plate [XVII], 1).
The reversed funnels of fluorine split asunder on the proto level, and are set free, the "balloons" also floating off independently. The funnels, as usual, become spheres, and on the meta level set free their contained bodies, three quartets and a triplet from each of the eight. The balloons disintegrate in the usual way.
Manganese ([Plate XVII], 2).
Manganese offers us nothing new, being composed of "lithium spikes" and "nitrogen balloons."