AND REPULSIONS. 171 



other kinds of molecules. Molecules of potassium 

 and nitrogen go to the negative pole, being ex- 

 tremely positive. 



These orderly unions and separations of mole- 

 cules, when subjected to excitation between the 

 two poles of a voltaic battery, show their functions 

 as natural electrical machines. 



By pervading the spaces intervening between 

 all the particles of bodies, the electric ether diffuses 

 impulses to every individual part, thus moving the 

 whole. Consequently the number, or quantity, of 

 individual atoms in a body is ascertained by the ex- 

 tent of its gravitating force toward the earth ; this 

 being determined by the standard test of coun- 

 terpoising weights. The difference of weights 

 of the several kinds of elementary molecules indi- 

 cates the various quantities of matter they sever- 

 ally contain. 



Each kind being propelled toward one of the 

 two poles of a voltaic battery with a special degree 

 of force, the different kinds of molecules in com- 

 pound substances are thus separated from each 

 other, or decomposed ; as illustrated in the decom- 

 position of water by the voltameter. 



The peculiar order in which each kind of mole- 

 cule goes to a pole of a voltaic circuit, in a regu- 

 lar scale of relationship, shows its subjection to 

 systematic molecular laws. 



When the molecules of compound substances 

 are attracted to opposite poles of a voltaic circuit, 



