358 Mr, Sturgeon*s Account of [Nov, 



those persons who are more favourably situated), of some of the 

 most interesting facts, which they, from their distance, are 

 unable to witness. 



With a view of removing, in some measure, these apparently 

 formidable obstacles in the progress of this infant science, I 

 have devoted a considerable portion of time, labour, and 

 expense, in repeating several of the experiments, under various 

 circumstances, and with various forms and sizes of batteries. I 

 have hkewise instituted a series of experiments, for the purpose 

 of discovering, if possible, if any particular ratio of galvanic and 

 magnetic power was absolutely necessary to be observed in the 

 process of electro-magnetism. If no particular proportion of 

 those two powers was essential, then it appeared highly probable 

 that an increase of magnetic power might compensate for a 

 deficiency of the galvanic, and thereby render the use of large 

 galvanic batteries quite unnecessary, an object which I consi- 

 dered both interesting in its nature, and, by reducing the 

 expense, and facilitating the process, exceedingly desirable to 

 the experimenter ; and I am happy to state, that my labours 

 were no ways abortive, for instead of electro-magnetic pheno- 

 mena depending on powerful galvanic, and feeble magnetic 

 force, as had till then been practised, I found, during that 

 inquiry, that the galvanic force may be reduced to almost any 

 degree, provided the magnetic be sufficiently powerful. This 

 discovery led me to the use of powerful magnets, and small 

 galvanic batteries, for with small magnets the experiments can 

 never be made on a large scale, although the galvanic force be 

 ever so powerful ; and as minute and delicate experiments are 

 not calculated for sufficiently conspicuous illustration in pubHc 

 lectures, I considered that an apparatus for exhibiting the expe- 

 riments on a large scale, and with easy management, would not 

 only be well adapted to the lecture room, but absolutely valuable 

 to the advancement of the science. Upon this principle I have 

 constructed a complete set of instruments, which, from their 

 superior magnitude, and peculiar arrangement, are, in my hum- 

 ble opinion, and by the certificates I have been honoured with, 

 are, in the opinion of gentlemen whose judgment I presume will 

 ever be held in the highest estimation, well adapted for the illus- 

 tration of the subject, either in the private study or public 

 lecture room. 



It will be understood from what I have already stated, as well 

 as from an inspection of the instruments, that the mode which I 

 have taken for the production of electro-magnetic phenomena 

 is more simple in its management, less expensive in the process, 

 better calculated for the illustration of the subject, and the 

 reverse of that which has hitherto been used, and which, by its 

 almost entire dependence on the tedious and expensive process 

 of galvanism, has considerably retarded and obscured this new 



