482 Dr. R. Hare's Objections to the Theories severally of 



by dynamic induction. But if, by mere external influence, 

 the machine above mentioned can produce within a circuit a 

 current such as above described, is it unreasonable to suppose 

 that the common machine, when it acts upon a circuit, may 

 put into activity the matter existing therein, so as to pro- 

 duce waves of polarization, having the power of those usually 

 ascribed to a galvano-electrical current? 



69. It has been shown that both reason, and the researches 

 and suggestions of Faraday, warrant the inference that pon- 

 derable atoms in solids and liquids may be considered as 

 swimming in an enormous quantity of condensed impondera- 

 ble matter, in which all the particles, whether ponderable or 

 imponderable, are, in their natural state, held in a certain re- 

 lative position due to the reciprocal attraction of their dissi- 

 milar poles. A galvano-electrified body differs from one in 

 its ordinary state, in having the relative position of the poles 

 of its aethereo-ponderable atoms so changed, that their inhe- 

 rent opposite polarities not being productive of reciprocal neu- 

 tralization, a reaction with external bodies ensues. 



70. In statical excitement the affection is superficial as re- 

 spects the ponderable bodies concerned, while in dynamic 

 excitement the polarities of the whole mass are deranged op- 

 positely at opposite ends of the electrified mass; so that the 

 oppositely disturbing impulses, proceeding from the poles of 

 the disturbing apparatus, neutralize each other intermediately. 

 Supposing the ponderable as well as the imponderable matter 

 in a perfect conductor to be susceptible of the polar derange- 

 ment, of which an electrified state is thus represented to con- 

 sist, non-conductors to be insusceptible of such polar derange- 

 ment, imperfect conductors may have a constitution inter- 

 mediate between metals and electrics. When an electrical 

 discharge is made through any space devoid of air or other 

 matter, it must then find its way solely by the polarization of 

 the rare imponderable matter existing therein ; and conse- 

 quentl}' its coruscations should be proportionably more dif- 

 fuse, which is actually found to be true; but when gaseous 

 aethereo-ponderable atoms intervene, they enable competent 

 waves to exist within a narrower channel, and to attain a 

 greater intensit}'. I consider all bodies as insulators which 

 cause discharges through them to be more difficult than through 

 a vacuum, and which, by their interposition within a circuit, 

 can prevent that propagation of the oppositely polarizing un- 

 dulations which would otherwise ensue. This furnishes a good 

 mean of discrimination between insulators and conductors, the 

 criterion being, that a discharge ensues more readily as there 

 is more of the one and less of the other in the way ; that the 



