184 ANNUAL OP SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



than those obtained by the single wire. To determine whether mag- 

 netic or diamagnetic action interfered with the results, two series of 

 experiments were made, one with a magnetic sphere of iron, the other 

 with a diamagnetic sphere of bismuth. The sphere of iron gave 

 5.6887 with a probable error of 0.0312 ; the sphere of bismuth gave 

 5.5266 with a probable error of 0.0402. It would appear probable 

 that the magnetism of the iron exerted some influence, but none could 

 be attributed reasonably to the diamagnetism of the bismuth. Pogg- 

 Ann., Ixxxv. 



> 



ON THE RE-CONCENTRATION OF THE MECHANICAL ENERGY OF 



THE UNIVERSE. 



A CURIOUS paper on this subject was read before the British Asso- 

 ciation by Mr. Rankine, in which he stated that it has long been con- 

 jectured, and is now being established by experiment, that all forms of 

 physical energy, whether visible motion, heat, light, magnetism, elec- 

 tricity, chemical action, or other forms not yet understood, are mutually 

 convertible : that the total amount of physical energy in the universe 

 is unchangeable, and varies merely its condition and locality, by con- 

 version from one form to another, or by transference from one portion 

 of matter to another. Prof. W. Thomson has pointed out, that in the 

 present condition of the known world there is a preponderating ten- 

 dency to the conversion of all the other forms of energy into heat, and 

 to the equable diffusion of all heat ; a tendency which seems to lead 

 towards the cessation of all phenomena, except stellar motions. The 

 author of the present paper points out that all heat tends ultimately to 

 assume the radiant form ; and that, if the medium which surrounds 

 the stars and transmits radiation between them be supposed to have 

 bounds encircling the visible world, beyond which is empty space, then 

 at these bounds the radiant heat will be totally reflected, and will ulti- 

 mately be re-concentrated into foci ; at one of which if an extinct 

 star arrives, it will be resolved into its elements, and a store of energy 

 re-produced. 



EFFECT OF THE EARTH'S ROTATION ON LOCOMOTION. 



MR. CLARKE in the London Mechanic's Magazine calls attention 

 to the remarkable influence of the earth's rotation on locomotion. It 

 is well known that as the earth revolves on its axis once in twenty-four 

 hours, from west to east, the velocity of any point on its surface is 

 greater nearer the equator and less farther from it in the ratio 

 of the cosine of the latitude. Mr. Clarke says: "Some rather 

 important conclusions in relation to railway travelling arise out of the 

 view now taken. The difference between the rotative velocity of the 

 earth in surface motion at London and at Liverpool is about twenty- 

 eight miles per hour ; and this amount of laterai movement is to be 

 gained or lost, as respects the locomotive in each journey, according 

 to the direction we are travelling in from one place to the other ; and 



