NOMOS. 



83 



Fig. 24. 



In fact, we know of no shadow of evidence in 

 favour of the belief either in special magnetical 

 currents or in special electrical currents, 

 as concerned in the phenomena of mag- 

 netism; and, so far as we can see, all 

 these phenomena may be traced to intel- 

 ligible reactions between simple currents of electri- 

 city. So far as we can see, indeed, 



, . , Magnetism 



magnetism ceases to have any existence as a mere mode 

 a special force, and becomes a mere mode action . " c 

 of electrical action. 



Now this is no unimportant conclusion, 

 we are enabled to clear up two residual 

 difficulties. We have been obliged to 

 infer the existence of chemical changes 

 in metallic conductors during the passage 

 of the electric current, from the peculiar 

 constitution of the loadstone and of other 

 magnetic salts. The argument was one 

 of mere analogy. But if "magnetism" 

 be a mere mode of electrical action, then 

 these facts become so many direct proofs 



G 2 



for by it 



The bearing 

 of these con- 

 siderations 

 upon the 

 theory of 

 electricity. 

 And, first, as 

 showing the 

 presence of 

 chemical 

 changes in a 

 metallic con- 

 ductor dur- 

 ing the pas- 

 sage of the 

 current. 



