THE 
* LONDON ann EDINBURGH 
PHILOSOPHICAL MAGAZINE 
AND 
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
[THIRD SERIES.] 
MARCH 1836. 
XXXII. On the general Magnetic Relations and Characters 
of the Metals. By Micuae. Farapay, D.C.L. F.R.S., &c.* 
GENERAL views have long since led me to an opinion, 
which is probably also entertained by others, though I 
do not remember to have met with it, that a// the metals are 
magnetic in the same manner as iron, though not at common 
temperatures or under ordinary circumstancest. I do not 
refer to a feeble magnetism, uncertain in its existence and 
source, but to a distinct and decided power, such as that pos- 
sessed by iron and nickel; and my impression has been that 
there was a certain temperature for each body, (well known 
in the case of iron,) beneath which it was magnetic, but above 
which it lost all power ; and that, further, there was some rela- 
tion between this point of temperature, and the intensity of 
magnetic force which the body when reduced beneath it could 
acquire. In this view iron and nickel were not considered as 
exceptions from the metals generally with regard to mag- 
netism, any more than mercury could be considered as an ex- 
ception from this class of bodies as to liquefaction. 
I took occasion during the very cold weather of December 
last, to make some experiments on this point. Pieces of va- 
rious metals in their pure state were supported at the ends of 
* Communicated by the Author. 
+ It may be proper to remark that the observations made in par, 255 
of my “ Experimental Researches,” have reference only to the three classes 
of bodies there defined as existing at ordinary temperatures. 
t Encyclop. Metrop., ‘ Mixed Sciences,’ vol. i. p. 761. 
Third Series. Vol. 8. No. 46. March 1836. U 
