Researches in Magnetic Electricity. 367— 
are hot secondary, but tertiary phenomena; the secondary pro- 
duction, being the development or neutralization of magnetic 
orces. And, as Mr. Sturgeon has very ably set forth in his beau- 
tiful theory of electro-magnetic lines, in the present state of our 
knowledge, it is indispensable to the explication of the reciprocal 
action of magnetism and electricity, to swppose the existence of a 
Secondary intervening medium, whether the coiled conductors act 
with or without the co-operation of ferruginous bodies. One sin- 
gular fact which I noticed, nearly two years since, remains to be 
reconciled with the postulates, that a direct shock cannot be ap- 
preciated from an elementary current, and that secondaries are 
Strictly consequences remote from primitives. When two, three 
or four pairs of plates, or any number below twelve, arranged as a 
compound series, are connected with coiled conductors, with or 
Without soft iron enclosed, the sparks and deflagrations, are far 
more brilliant on breaking the circuit, than with the same plates 
used asa simple or elementary battery. This fact is readily ac- 
counted for.. The batfery current itself is capable of passing 
t ‘perceptible space, with appreciable duration, and as the 
secondary current, (which is the natural electricity of the wire, 
set in motion by magnetic forces, ) returns to its equibrium through 
the medium of the battery plates and its liquid, the two currents 
must here move in conjunction, and enhance the combustion of 
the metals used. I have strictly examined the power of the pure 
secondary developed in this way, and find it never to exceed the 
secondary from the same pairs arranged as an elementary series. 
In faet, the secondary begins to diminish, just when the magne- 
tizing power of the compound battery begins to diminish, which 
is well known to occur, as the series extends. 'The properties of 
small and large compound batteries, have moreover been exam- 
ined while the currents have been passing through circuits from 
twenty feet to half a mile, without any observable characteristic 
changes, But to return to the action of the compound electro- 
t. The superior value of these magnets, whether made of 
flat plates, or fine wire, may be traced to several causes. First, 
the homogeneous texture of the iron from which wires or flat 
plates are made, is favorable to the extensive development of 
magnetism. Secondly, the same quality favors its neutralization, 
When the exciting cause is withdrawn. Thirdly, the sum of the 
actions of so many highly charged magnets, and lastly, the mu- 
