128 CROSS CURRENTS AROUND MOLECULES. 



of an electro-magnetic iron ring, represented in 



Fig. 45 ; while in the 

 closed circuit they are 

 so very powerfully held 

 conjoined, that weights 

 of several thousands of 

 pounds are sustained 

 thereby. The electro- 

 magnetic excitation in- 

 stantaneously disap- 

 pears from a bar of iron 

 when the battery circuit 

 is stopped; but in the 

 Fig - 4S ' closed circuit formed by 



the conjoined semi-circles it continues for a brief 

 time. The union of molecules formed into a ring 

 serves to sustain a compound circulation of electro- 

 magnetic currents, as through the string of a circlet 

 of beads, while simultaneously the electro-magnetic 

 currents circulate about the axis of each individ- 

 ual bead. The combined action of these elec- 

 tro-magnetic currents polarizes electro-magnetic 

 bodies. The action of the diamagnetic current 

 around each molecule is exhibited in the sponta- 

 neou^ formation of rings of vapor floating in the 

 air, resulting from puffs of smoke, of steam, and 

 especially from the explosive combination of phos- 

 phuretted hydrogen ; as represented in Fig. 46. 



This self-inflaming gas issues from the beak of 

 a retort immersed in water, as shown in the figure, 



