FORMATION OF RINGS OF VAPOR. 129 



and takes fire explosively on coming in contact 

 with the air ; producing a white ring of smoke. 



Fig. 46. 



The rings successively ascend and buoyantly float 

 in the air, gracefully waving in unbroken circular 

 forms. A rod may be passed through them 

 without breaking the continuity of these closed 

 circuits. 1 



The formation of these rings, and of soap- 

 bubbles similarly floating in the air, and even of 

 the great planetary globes, is doubtless governed 

 by the same electro-dynamic principles of closed 

 circuits, in which the axial magnetic and lateral 

 diamagnetic actions are combined to produce re- 

 sultant effects of molecular unions. 



1 Helmholtz supposes this vortex-whirl would continue indefinitely 

 in a frictionless medium ; which he assumes to be the condition of the 

 space about the planet Saturn, the formation of whose wonderful vapory 

 rings might be similarly produced and sustained. The writer first saw 

 the formation of these vapory rings on the simultaneous discharge of 

 cannon (a/eu dejoie] at the time of celebrating the restoration of peace 

 between England and America, in 1815. Two of these vapory rings, 

 while floating in the air, became interlocked like links of a chain, and 

 were hailed by cheers from the assembled multitude, as an auspicious 

 omen of union. 



9 



