WITHDRAWN FROM THE ACTION OF GRAVITY. 651 



Hence in this experiment the transformation ensues according 

 to the second method. Therefore, as the whole length of the 

 figure is about 200 millims., and as the transformation constantly 

 yields two isolated spheres, the mean length of the divisions has 



(§ 53) for its approximative value '^^ millims. =66''J milHms. ; 



1 say the mean length, because, as the diameter of the figure 

 increases slightlj' from the summit towards the base, the divi- 

 sions are probably not exactly equal in length. It must be 

 added here, that the transformation ensues under circumstances 

 which are always identical, and consequently, in the absence of 

 accidental disturbing causes, the above quantity ought to repre- 

 sent the normal length of the divisions, or the nearest possible 

 length to the latter. Now I estimate the mean diameter of the 

 figure before the transformation at about 4 millims. ; we should 



consequently have —- =16'7 as the approximative value of the 



proportion between the normal length of the divisions and the 

 diameter of the cylinder. This is therefore approximatively the 

 constant proportion sought in the case of a cylinder of oil formed 

 in the alcoholic mixture ; now this proportion, as is evident, is 

 much greater than that which belongs to the case of a cylinder 

 of mercury resting upon a plate of glass. 



In fact, the length 66*7 millims. may differ somewhat mate- 

 rially from the normal length ; for if, on the one hand, the 

 whole length of the figure of oil is considerable in regard to its 

 diameter, on the other hand, the number of divisions which 

 form there is very small. Let us then see, for instance, what is 

 the least value which the normal length of these divisions may 

 have. We must in the first place remark, that in this case, not- 

 withstanding the absence of disturbing causes, the third method 

 of transformation is possible ; in fact, as the lower constriction 

 is adherent to a liquid base, nothing can prevent the oil which 

 it loses from traversing this base to reach the large mass, so 

 that in the third method also, the direction of the movements 

 of transport may be the same in regard to all the constrictions 

 (§ 52). This granted, as the denominator of the expression which 

 gives the length of one division can only vary by half units (53), 

 and as the length which we have found resulted from the divi- 

 sion of 200 millims. by 3, it follows that the length immediately 



