Chap. 6.3 Communicated Magnetifm. 4$ 



the poles of the earth ; and what is (till more agree- 

 able to this theory is, that the dipping or inclination 

 of the needle is greatly increafed as it approaches 

 either pole. 



IV. The magnetic virtue may be communicated to 

 any ferrugineous body. 



i ft. By contact with a real magnet: and in this 

 way artificial magnets are in general prepared. This 

 property of imparting the magnetic powers is not, 

 however, confined to the natural magner, for artificial 

 magnets are capable of commtmicating it to frefli 

 femigineo'js bodies, and that without the leaft dimi- 

 nution of their own power * : and the power may in 

 this manner be communicated from one piece of iron 

 to another to infinity. A weak magnet may alfo 

 be rendered more powerful by the application of a 

 ftronger. 



Soft iron acquires magnetifm with more eafe than 

 hard iron or Heel, but the virtue is not fo permanent* 

 Hard ileel will retain it for many years without dimi- 

 nution. 



To make artificial magnets of extraordinary power, 

 fome addrefs is required. A fingle magnet cannot 

 communicate a greater degree of power than itfelf pof- 

 fefTes, but feveral magnets united will impart a power 

 equal to their united force f . It will eafily be ima- 

 gined, that the power imparted will be in proportion 

 to the approximation of the iron to the magnet. To 

 acquire a very high degree of magnetifm alfo, the 



* It is faid indeed that the power of a magnet is increafed ra- 

 ther than dim'mifhed by communication. Cav. 



f Hence it is evident, that artificial may be made much Itronger 

 than any catural magnets v/hatever <>&&* on Mag. 378. 



iron 



