Chap. 4.] Ekftrual Bells. 33$ 



Notwithftanding this furprifing velocity, it is cer- 

 tain, hov/cver, that both fides of a charged phial may 

 be touched fo quickly, even by the beft conductors, 

 that all the electric fluid has not time to make the 

 circuit, and the phial will remain but half difcharged ; 

 and there are feveral inftances where the motion ap- 

 pears flow, and not eafiiy reconcileable with the amaz'- 

 ing velocity we have obferved in the inftance above > 

 indeed it is certain, that this fluid is refilled in fome 

 degree in its paflage through or over every fubftance. - 



There is another part of an electrical apparatus, 

 originally of German invention, which, before the 

 concluflon of what may be called the mechanical 

 part of electricity, it will be proper to notice. It is 

 chiefly illuftrative of the e lectricd attraction. This 

 apparatus confifts of three fmail bells, fufpended from 

 a narrow plate of metal ; the two outermoft by chains, 

 and that in. the middle, from which a chain pafles to 

 the floor, by a fiiken firing. Two fmall knobs of 

 brafs are alfo hung, by fiiken firings, on each fide of 

 the bell in the middle, which ferve for clappers. 

 When this apparatus is . connected with an electrified 

 conductor, the outermoft bells, fufpended by the 

 chains, will be charged, attract the clappers, and be 

 ilruck by them. The ' clappers, becoming electrified 

 likewife, will be repelled by thefe bells, ana attracted 

 by the middle bell, and will difcharge themfelves upon 

 it by means of the chain extending to the floor. After 

 this they Mill be again attracted by the outermoft 

 bells, and thus, by (Inking the bells alternately, occa- 

 fion a ringing, which may be continued at pleafure. 

 Flalhes of light will alfo be feen in the dark between 

 the bells and the clappers -, and if the electricity is 

 ftrong, the difcharge will be made without actual con- 

 tact, and the ringing will ceafc. 



If 



