1822.] Magnetic Phenomena of the Electric Connecting Wire. § 
stant a neutralization of the electricity or destruction of the elec- 
trie effect occurs. To this property mast be attributed the reason: 
why the pile magnetizes some metals, which are not magnetized 
to a sensible degree by the magnet; for although these metals 
have not the power of retaining the magnetic charge, and suffer 
more or less every instant the neutralization of the communicated 
electricities ; yet as the pile establishes this electric tension each’ 
moment, it is impossible that these metals should not exhibit its 
effect ; that is to say, the transverse or magnetic charge. The 
case is the same with the electric spark, because the electric. 
spark is nothing else than a connecting wire formed by the air, 
as is proved by the experiments of Sir H, Davy, by the magnetic 
property of the electric spark. 
This activity of the pile prevents, at the same time, the fixed 
arrangement of the poles in the periphery of the connecting wire, 
as produced by common magnetization. If, for example, the: 
connecting wire has any kind of prismatic form, the pole of 
angle 8 2, fig. 5, which was south, becomes north, when the 
baris turned, until the angle S 2 occupies the place of the angle 
N 2; and the angle N i, which was north, becomes south, when 
it enters the place of the angle S i.* 
According to this, the researches into the phenomena of the 
electrical connecting wire resolve into this simple question : 
Why is a conducting body connecting the two electrical poles 
charged transversely ? The answer to this question enters into 
the theory of electricity in general, and I shall probably find an 
opportunity of returning to it. The properties of the drans- 
verse electrical charge form a new branch in the theory of electri- 
city. The facts stated readily lead to the result that every trans- 
verse electrical charge is magnetic. The reason is, that in the trans- 
verse electrical charge, the electrical poles approach each other 
infinitely near, and on account of this approximation, their ten- 
sion is increased. Let us suppose that two weak electrical poles 
of the intensity = i are capable of giving the longitudinal elec- 
trical charge to a metallic wire of 100 feet long, and the thou- 
sandth of an inch in thickness, and that this longitudinal charge 
becomes changed into a transverse electrical charge, then the 
intensity of the poles at the periphery will be greater than 
1200090 7. As two very weak electrical poles are capable of 
giving an electrical charge to a much longer metallic wire, it 
follows that the electrical tension of the poles in the connecting 
wire must be very great, in comparison with common electrical 
tensions, for which the air still preserves its non-conducting 
= 
power, although it is diminished on account of this tension. - 
It is this great electrical tension of the transverse charge, which 
makes the metals red-hot, and volatilizes them. This constant 
and infinitely great electrical tension is magnetic ; for electri- 
* These references are not in the figure, but being apprehensive that I might alter 
the sense, I have not attempted to supply the deficiency.— Ed. 
