328 Eleftricity colkfydfrom the Earth. [B.ook IV. 



He accounts for thefe appearances by fuppofmg the 

 electric fluid to be a common element, of which each 

 of the three perfons has his equal lhare before any ope- 

 ration is begun with the tube. 



A, who (lands upon wax and rubs the tube, collects 

 the electrical fire from himfelf into the glafs, and his 

 communication with the common (lock being cut off 

 by the wax, his body is not again immediately fup- 

 plied. 



B, who alfo {lands upon wax, parting his knuckle 

 along the tube, receives the fire which was collected 

 from A, and being infulated, he retains this additiona.1 

 quantity. 



To the third perfon, who Hands upon the floor, both 

 appear electrified; for he, having only the middle quan- 

 tity of electrical fire, receives a fpark on approaching 

 B, who has an over quantity, but gives one to A, whp 

 has an under quantity. 



If A and B approach to touch each other, the fpark 

 is ftronger, becaufe the difference between them is 

 greater. After this touch there is no fpark between 

 either of them and C, becaufe the electrical fluid in all 

 is reduced to the original equality. If they touch while 

 electrifying, the equality is never deftroyed, the fire is 

 only circulating ; hence we fay that B is electrified por 

 ficivcly, A negatively *. 



* Mr. Adams on Ele&ricity, p. ^3. 



