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



77. Within the bodies of animals and vegetables, the 

 electro-ffither may be supposed to exist as an atmosphere sur- 

 rounding the sethereo-ponderable atoms of which their organs 

 are constituted, so as to occupy all the space which is not 

 replete with such atoms. Hence a discharge of frictional 

 electricity may indirectly polarize the whole animal frame, by 

 producing sethereo-ponderable polarization in the constituent 

 atoms of the fibres of the nerves and muscles. Probably this 

 polarization is produced more immediately in the ponderable 

 solids, by a discharge from a voltaic series, or a wire subjected 

 to electro- or magneto-dynamic induction. In the latter in- 

 stances the shock is reiterated so rapidly as to appear more 

 enduring, while in the former it is more startling and produ- 

 cible at an infinitely greater distance. 



78. Agreeably to Faraday's researches (1485 to 1543), 

 there is reason to suppose that in frictional spark discharges, 

 the consequent shock, light, and other peculiarities, are in 

 part owing to waves of sethereo-ponderable polarization indi- 

 rectly produced in the intervening gaseous matter (71). 



Of ^tliereo-'pondernhle Deflagration. 



79. It is well known, that between two pieces of charcoal 

 severally attached, one to the negative, the other to the posi- 

 tive pole of a numerous and well-excited voltaic series, an 

 arch of flame may be produced by moving them apart after 

 contact. This phaenomenon evidently depends upon the vola- 

 tilization of the ponderable matter concerned ; since it cannot 

 be produced before the carbon has been volatilized by contact, 

 nor by any body besides charcoal, this being the only con- 

 ductor which is sufficiently infusible, and yet duly volatilizable. 

 Metals similarly treated fuse at the point of contact and co- 

 here. On separation, after touching, a single spark ensues; 



in which the secondary undulations may be created, without the presence 

 of iron. Of course this reasoning will apply to all cases in which the phae- 

 nomena hitherto attributed to Faradian currents are the result of dynamic 

 induction. 



Thus it appears that the polarization of magnets, and that created and 

 sustained when a galvanized coil or helix acts upon another in proximity, 

 have the same relation to galvanic discharges that the charges upon insu- 

 lated surfaces have to their appropriate discharges. The permanent mag- 

 netism of steel seems to have some analogy with the charge upon a coated 

 pane, while we may consider as analogous with the charges upon insulated 

 conductors, already adverted to (61, 62), that state of the aethereo-ponde- 

 rable particles (38) of a wire helix, which state, resulting from the influence 

 of an included magnet, or neighbouring galvanized coil, and being dis- 

 charged on a change of relative position, or breach of the galvanizing cir- 

 cuit, is productive of spark, shock, ignition, or electrolysis, as exemplified 

 by Callan's coil, Page's electrotome, or the magneto-electric machine. 



