OF MAGNETISM TO DIAMAGNETISM. 379 



magnetic forces coexist simultaneously ; and that, because the 

 first of these forces diminishes less in proportion to the increase 

 of distance from the poles of the magnet than the last, the same 

 body may react, according to circumstances, at one time like a 

 magnetic, at another like a diamagnetic body. 



Several questions, which are important in a theoretical point 

 of view, are connected with the above law, and lay open new 

 paths to us. 



First, a conclusion drawn by Faraday from his observations 

 is overturned ; and, on the other hand, it is proved that it is 

 impossible by the mixture of substances, the reactions of which 

 are of the opposite kind, to procure one which is indifferent as 

 regards magnetism and diamagnetism. 



It moreover appears, from the results which have been ob- 

 tained, necessarily to follow that the same body, e. g. of a spherical 

 form, at a greater or less distance from one of the poles of a mag- 

 net, throughout its whole mass, may be at one time repelled, at 

 another attracted ; moreover, that a smaller and a larger sphere, 

 composed of the same substance, and each time placed near one of 

 the poles of the magnet, may be respectively repelled and attracted. 



7. The answer to the following questions would be more un- 

 satisfactory. 



Can the reaction of any diamagnetic body, when the power 

 of the magnet is increased, be converted into a magnetic reaction 

 by the augmentation of the distance ? If so, at a certain distance 

 no diamagnetic body in Faraday^s sense would exist. Is it not 

 therefore probable, that if, by a more delicate method of sus- 

 pension it could be so managed that all bodies assumed a direc- 

 tion in consequence of terrestrial magnetism, as they now do 

 under the influence of a moderately-powerful magnet in one or 

 the other manner, this direction would always be that only of a 

 magnetic body? On the other hand, to what extent are we 

 capable of diminishing the magnetic action or converting it into 

 the diamagnetic, even in strongly magnetic substances, by ap- 

 proximating the central point to the action of the extremities of 

 the poles as much as possible, and using the substance in small 

 fragments ? 



Is a substance, which at one time reacts like a magnetic, at 

 another like a diamagnetic body, necessarily a mixture of mag- 

 netic and diamagnetic substances ? Or, what still ajipears to 

 nic probable in accordance with my theoretical view, may not a 



