102 ■ Terrestrial Magnetism, 



elements, and a recombination of those elements throngh a play 

 of attraction, is not an unphilosophical suggestion. 



Colomb 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 1 

 the magnetic fluids ; they pervade or influence all terrestrial bod- 

 ies, and friction will develope hght 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 



horse-shoe artificial loadstone, carrying 13J ounces, to a strong 

 light of the sun, and after three days it cai-ried an additional 

 weight of three ounces, and ultimately its power was so increased 

 as to carry 31 ounces. Tliese 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 magnetic 

 fluids as entering into theii: composition. 



That a compound body should differ not only in its appearance, 

 but in its most striking qualities, from cither 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 invisible fluids, such as we find on the poles 

 of the magnet, should, whenvcombined, produce radiant matter, 

 such as either light or heat. 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 diflcrent combinations of the three elements, which 

 would account for the evident connexion existing between gal- 

 vanism, electricity, and magnetism, and also their relation to 

 light and heat. 



It is said, however, that light and heat are evolved. from the 

 atmosphere by condensation, and this indeed cannot be contro- 

 verted ; nor docs it conflict with this hypothesis, for by conden- 

 sing the air, these elements which are difl"used throughout the 

 atmosphere, are brought in contact, a union is efiected, and light 

 and heat are the result. The same eflfect would be produced by 



