18 Mr Watt mi a New Magnetkal Instrumeni, 



that the leaves, petals^ and stamina of all plants, were, whert 

 growing, strongly attracted by any good electric, when it was 

 rubbed ; and that, particularly, when any of the precious stones 

 that were transparent, were rubbed and presented to the leaves 

 or petals of plants, that they sprung to it, and stuck to it, as a 

 piece of iron to the magnet, and they remained attached to it as 

 long as the electricity was retained by the stones * ; sometimes 

 half a minute. 



I also found, that all electrics attracted the magnetic needle 

 in proportion to their powers of retention, and that, consequent- 

 ly, the magnet attracted all electrics when charged with electri- 

 city ; and that all feathers of birds, hairs of animals, and pistils, 

 petals, and stamina of plants, were strongly attracted by elec- 

 trics ; and when in contact with any body that retained electri- 

 city, were more or less attracted by the magnet ; and that, there- 

 fore, they might all be considered, in a certain sense, natural 

 magnets, — being all attracted to, or attracting, light, caloric, 

 electricity, and the magnetic fluid. 



In illustration of these observations, I would mention, that 

 when a piece of wax or amber is rubbed, it attracts the compass 

 needle. A Brazilian topaz will attract the magnetic needle if 

 only once or twice passed over a piece of woollen cloth. If 

 rubbed a few seconds, it makes the needle move round on its 

 pivot, in the same manner as a magnet would. The topaz, 

 amethyst, and sapphire, also, when rendered electrical by fric- 

 tion, suspend small pieces of iron or steel. A topaz of an inch 

 square will suspend six common sewing needles horizontally, for 

 an hour or two ; and if this is frequently repeated, the stone 

 being rubbed for half a minute or so each time, the needles ac- 

 quire the magnetic property ; and if they are placed gently on" 

 the surface of water, so as to swim, they will all arrange them- 

 selves parallel to the magnetic meridian ; this polarity they seem 

 to lose in a day or two. 



If a piece of clear amber, of an oblong shape, be subjected to 

 rapid friction for half a minute, it will, when made to swim on 



* The conducting power of living plants, in favouring the rapid distribu- 

 tion of electricity, has been reckoned three millions of times greater than 

 that of water. I should conceive from this fact, that the conducting power of 

 Eving plants was too highly rated. 



