R. W. Fox on Electrical Action. 1 



poles reversed on the approach of the similar end of another 

 stronger magnet, seems calculated to throw light on the oppo- 

 site electric relations acquired by two bodies when brought 

 into mutual contact; for, assuming that the electric elements, 

 like electrified bodies, possess opposite polarities both of at- 

 traction and repulsion, is it not reasonable to believe that, 

 like the magnetic elements, those electric poles least tenaci- 

 ously retained in one body, or most energetically opposed by 

 similar poles in another body, will turn from them, and even 

 be actually inverted, in order to adjust the balance of forces 

 between the positive and negative electricity in the two bodies ? 

 This appeared to me to be a necessary consequence of mag- 

 netic repulsion, and the attraction acting on the opposite ele- 

 mentary poles, before I had ascertained the fact; and I think 

 that the same argument will apply with nearly equal force to 

 electric repulsion and attraction, and the cause of a very ob- 

 scure phenomenon may, in this way, be simply explained. 



Hence it seems to follow, that the direction of the elemen- 

 tary poles may be sufficient to determine the positive or nega- 

 tive character of electricity in all cases of electrical develop- 

 ment ; and supposing the mode of elementary action already 

 noticed (viz. the reversing of the poles,) to prevail throughout 

 a voltaic circuit, pulsation would be produced, and probably 

 an actual rotation of the electric elements. Such rotation 

 would account for the appearance of opposite currents ; and 

 upon the whole, it seems to me that this hypothesis is calcu- 

 lated to afford simple and satisfactory explanations of many 

 of the phenomena which electricity presents, — especially its 

 powerful effect on compound bodies, and the transfer of their 

 constituents to the opposite electric poles, — whilst it does 

 not demand from us the admission (in the case of voltaic 

 electricity,) of continuous currents of immeasurable velocity, 

 and transferring almost inconceivably large quantities of elec- 

 tricity from one body to another. 



It may, perhaps, be well for me to state more fully my 

 views of the manner in which simple electric elements, similar 

 to, or identical with, the magnetic elements, may unite with 

 matter, and exhibit electric effects in consequence of their 

 natural relations being disturbed, my object being merely to 

 offer some examples, without insisting upon them, for the pur- 

 pose of showing that the elementary action and rotation I have 

 suggested may enable us to explain many phenomena better 

 than the commonly received hypothesis of electric " currents" 

 in rapid circulation, such, for instance, as the definite action 

 of electricity, which has been so clearly demonstrated by our 

 first experimental philosopher. 



