SOLID, LIQUID, AND AERIFORM STATES. 77 



uniting the molecules of mercury in crystals of 

 frozen solid metal, resembling silver. 



Between 39 and 680 the molecules of mercury 

 remain in an equilibrial state, wherein neither the 

 magnetic nor the diamagnetic currents predom- 

 inate. In this condition of equilibrium, the mole- 

 cules of mercury have freedom to roll quickly over 

 one another in the liquid state ; from whence this 

 metal derives its descriptive name of " quick- 

 silver." 



This example of the solid, liquid, and vapory 

 conditions of mercury represents the solid, liquid, 

 and ae'riform conditions of all other kinds of ele- 

 mentary substances ; including oxygen, hydrogen, 

 and nitrogen, as experimentally verified by Pictet 

 and others. 



The contraction and expansion of fluids in 

 thermometers show the alternate predominance 

 of the electro-magnetic currents induced by the 

 axial rotation of the earth, and of the magneto- 

 electric vibrations induced by the orbital rev- 

 olution. 



