71 



Fig. IS. 



The magnet, however, is not strictly at liberty to 

 yield to this impulse. On the contrary, it is so con- 

 fined by the form of the apparatus as to be only 

 capable of moving in a circle around the conductor, 

 and therefore the impulse of which we have just 

 spoken is expended in initiating this compound mo- 

 tion. This, then, is what takes place in the first 

 instant, and this is what is repeated without change 

 in succeeding instants so long as the reactions of the 

 currents continue. It is repeated because the mag- 

 net carries its own currents along with it, and because 

 the converging currents from the conductor do not 

 cease to follow. 



But it is very questionable whether this explana- 

 tion holds good in all its details, and whether the 

 direction in which the magnet tends to move is that 

 which has been described. It is very questionable, 



F 4 



