NOMOS. 73 



of the magnet and conductor. Let the concentric 

 circles surrounding the magnet be the extraneous 

 currents of which we have spoken, and let the arrows 

 indicate their direction. In like manner let the lines 

 and arrows proceeding from the conductor to the 

 magnet indicate the currents which are passing in 

 this direction. Let it be supposed, then, that the 

 reactions between the currents to the right, instead 

 of producing repulsion, produce a greater or less 

 amount of neutralization in both currents, but espe- 

 cially in the weaker currents, that is, in the currents 

 surrounding the magnet ; and let this neutralization 

 diminish progressively as we pass away from the 

 point where the currents from the conductor im- 

 pinge. Let, moreover, the extent of this neutraliza- 

 tion be indicated by the curved line a a a, and by 

 the dotted lines and arrows to the outside of this line. 

 On the other hand, let it be supposed that the effect 

 of the reactions to the left of the converging currents 

 is to intensify the attractive powers of the currents 

 surrounding the magnet and in the magnet by the 

 addition of the whole amount of the attracting power 

 of the currents proceeding from the conductor ; and 

 let this intensification (which must diminish pro- 

 gressively as we pass away from the point where the 

 currents from the conductor impinge) be indicated by 

 the curve bbb. Let these things be supposed, and it 

 is evident that the disturbed balance of attraction can 

 only be restored (the magnet being alone moveable) 

 by the motion of the magnet in the direction in which 

 the attraction is now strongest. 



O 



What, then, we may now ask, is the direction in 



