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50 THE SUN A CENTRE OF REACTION. 



given by Buscovich, a^ being " centres of forces ; " 

 which they really are while subjected to the vibra- 

 tions of the electric ether equally on all sides. 



The great central orb of the solar system sim- 

 ilarly serves as a centre of forces, against which 

 impinge the vibratory impulses of the universal 

 electric ether, excited by the orbital revolutions of 

 the planets. From this central point of reaction the 

 vibrations of the electric ether, continually beating 

 against it, are reflected back in sunshine like sur- 

 ges from a rock in mid-ocean, leaving its surface 

 covered with sparkling foam. Without a point of 

 reaction, there can be no action. Action and re- 

 action are always equal and in opposite directions. 

 The sun serves as a point of reaction, like the 

 lump of lime placed in front of a pale jet of oxy- 

 hydrogen flame, which by its reaction develops 

 the intensity of the vibrations of the flame, and 

 produces the dazzling " calcium light." The sim- 

 ilar reflection of the vibrations excited by the or- 

 bital planetary force, we call sunshine. 



The reaction from a fine platinum wire is used 

 to develop the intense action of voltaic batteries 

 and magneto-electric machines. The molecules 

 of z.fine wire are insufficient to conduct the whole 

 force of the electric current, and its action is thus 

 resolved into light and heat. By making a break 

 in a conducting wire transmitting a powerful vol- 

 taic or magneto-electric current, the particles of 

 intervening air and of the all-pervading electric 



