152 THE HENRY. 



rate. It is during- tlio most rapid changes in tlie strength of tlie iiiduc- 

 iDg current that the strength of the induced current is greatest, and 

 when a current is once established and flowing at a uniform rate no 

 induction takes place. The unit of induction, the lioiri/, is the induc- 

 tion in a circuit when the electromotive force induced is 1 volt, while 

 the inducing current varies at the rate of 1 ami)ere per second. 



It was gratifying to the American delegates in the chamber at Chi. 

 cagotliat the motion to adopt "henry" as the name of this unit came 

 from Professor Mascart, the distinguished leader of the French delega- 

 tion, for among the French, some years ago, another name, the " quad- 

 rant" or " quad," had been proi)osed and since that time much used; 

 that it was seconded by one of the leading delegates from England, 

 Professor Ayrton, who had himself a few years ago proposed the word 

 "sec-ohm" as being a proper name for the nnit of induction, a proposi- 

 tion which for a time found nmch favor; and, linally, that it received 

 the unanimous approval of the entire chamber, thus furnishing a testi- 

 monial of the highest order of the estimation in which the work of 

 Joseph Henry is held, and a recognition of his rank as a natural phi- 

 losopher, which some of his own countrymen had been somewhat tardy 

 to appreciate and acknowledge. 



