OF FERRUGINOUS BODIES. 239 
netism of it is displaced, and partially removed 
from that part of the ferruginous mass. 
70. Since then, such a notable displacement of 
the magnetic poles can be accomplished by the 
heat of a small spirit lamp, it is but reasonable to 
infer, that, by the introduction of a much larger 
quantity of the calorific matter, such as would 
raise the iron to a white heat, a complete and 
entire expulsion of the magnetic matter naturally 
belonging to the iron, might be accomplished. 
71. Such, indeed, are the theoretical views 
which I have taken in explanation of the whole of 
these, properly called, thermo-magnetic pheno- 
mena, in which electricity is not an intermediate 
agent. Whether these views will meet the sanc- 
tion of philosophers, or not, time alone must 
determine. But as no previous attempt has been 
made to show why iron is perfectly neutral at high 
temperatures, the hypothesis has, at least, the 
singular advantage of not being contravened by 
any other. 
72. With respect to the iron arriving at. its 
greatest degree of magnetic action at a low red 
heat, 1 am far from supposing that this superior 
