In order to show that the rate of production is independent of molecular state, temperature, etc., it is necessary in such a case to undertake a long series of measurements extending over the whole time of recovery. It is impossible to make accurate relative comparisons to see if the activity is altered by the conversion of one compound into another. The relative activity in such a case, when measured by spreading a definite weight of material uniformly on a metal plate, varies greatly with the physical conditions of the precipitate, although the total activity of two compounds may be the same. The following method[230] offers an accurate and simple means of studying whether the rate of production of active matter is influenced by molecular state. The substance is chemically converted into any compound required, care being taken that active products are recovered during the process. The new compound is then spread on a metal plate and compared with a standard sample of uranium for several days or weeks as required. If the rate of production of active matter is altered by the conversion, there should be an increase or decrease of activity to a new steady value, where the production of active matter is again balanced by the rate of decay. This method has the great advantage of being independent of the physical condition of the precipitate. It can be applied satisfactorily to a compound of thorium like the nitrate and the oxide which has been heated to a white heat, after which treatment only a slight amount of emanation escapes. The nitrate was converted into the oxide in a platinum crucible by treatment with sulphuric acid and ignition to a white heat. The oxide so obtained was spread on a plate, but no change of its activity was observed with time, showing that in this case the rate of production was independent of molecular state. This method, which is limited in the case of thorium, may be applied generally to the uranium compounds where the results are not complicated by the presence of an emanation. No differences have yet been observed in the recovery curves of different thorium compounds after the removal of Th X. For example, the rate of recovery is the same whether the precipitated hydroxide is converted into the oxide or into the sulphate. =136. Disintegration hypothesis.= In the discussion of the changes in radio-active bodies, only the active products Ur X and Th X have been considered. It will, however, be shown later that these two products are only examples of many other types of active matter which are produced by the radio-elements, and that each of these types of active matter has definite chemical as well as radio-active properties, which distinguish it, not only from the other active products, but also from the substance from which it is produced.