| 102 | ‘Terrestrial Magnetism. 
? 
‘ 
elements, and a recombination of those elements through a play 
ts 
of attraction, is not an unphilosophical suggestion. 
olomb has ascertained that “gold, silver, glass, wood, and 
all substances, whether organic or inorganic, obey the power of 
the magnet ;”’ so that all substances are susceptible of magnetism. 
Here then is a striking coincidence between light and heat, and 
the magnetic fluids; they pervade or influence all terrestrial bod- 
ies, and friction will develope light and heat as well as magnetism. 
That the violet ray imparts the magnetic virtue to iron, is 
shown by the expermints of Mrs. Somerville, and by the still 
more striking experiments of Prof. Zautedeschi, who exposed a 
horse-shoe artificial loadstone, carrying 134 ounces, to a strong 
light of the sun, and after three days. it carried an additional 
weight of three ounces, and ultimately its power was so increased 
as to carry 31 ounces. These experiments being repeated under 
an exhausted receiver did not succeed, hence a doubt has arisen 
as to the source whence the magnetic virtue was derived, but it 
- must be conceded that the sun’s rays had some agency in evolv- 
ing the magnetism, let it come from what source it may, and this 
is readily explained if we suppose one or more of the magneti¢ 
fluids as entering into their composition. 
That a compound body should differ not only in its appearance, 
but in its most striking qualities, from either of the ingredients 
entering into its composition, is accordant with every day’s ob- 
servation of the chemist; it ought not therefore to be considered 
so extraordinary, that ROS fluids, such as we find on the poles 
of the magnet, should, when combined, produce radiant matter, 
such as either light or Kent: In fact, what is the magnetic spark, 
unless it be the result of the union of the two fluids. But elec 
tricity and galvanism also evolve light and heat; and may not 
there also be different combinations of the three cleinines which 
would account for the evident connexion existing between gal- 
vanism, electricity, and magnetism, and also their relation to 
light and heat. 
t is said, however, that light and heat are evolved from the 
atmosphere-by condensation, and this indeed cannot be contro 
verted; nor does it conflict with this hypothesis, for by conden- 
sing the air, these elements which are diffused throughout the 
atmosphere, are brought in contact, a union is effected, and light 
and heat are the result. The same effect would be produced by 
* 
¢ 
