260 PROCEEDINGS OP THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



of volume) is an increase of electrical couductivity both for the metal 

 and for the electrolyte. Conduction in metals and electrolytes thus 

 takes place in ways essentially alike. 



The present results lend themselves favorably to certain views on 

 the possibility of an ion theory of magnetism which I have indicated 

 elsewhere (Nature, Vol. XLI. p. 370, 1890) ; viz. that in a magnet 

 the split up or the transfer of charges is directed along paths of closed 

 helices, each of molecular diameter, consisting of right and left handed 

 screw threads, with their ends joined and their axes in the direction 

 of the lines of magnetic force. An advantage is gained in this way, 

 since a definite relation of the magnetic quality to the molecular 

 structure is implied. It may be stated generally, that in metals a 

 definite degree of molecular break up corresponds to each tempera- 

 ture ; and that electrical action (appearing either as static charge, 

 current, or magnetism) is manifest, whenever the break up is suitably 

 directed. 



