USE OF THE ELECTROSCOPE. 



571 



separating the electricities of the neutral body brought 

 near it, and in consequence of mutual inductive action, 

 a quantity of electricity of the opposite kind to that 

 with which the instrument is charged, is repelled to 

 the leaves, neutralising a portion of the original charge. 



FIG. 309. 



This action is, however, so slight, compared with the 

 effects of a charged body, that no mistake can be made 

 in the conclusions. If a body charged with opposite 

 electricity is brought near to the instrument, as in C 

 and D, the leaves drop because their charge is attracted 

 to the knob. If a body charged with the same elec- 

 tricity is brought near, the charge in the knob is re- 

 pelled to the leaves, and their divergence increases as 

 in E and F. 



