CHAP, i.] ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM. 



Fig. 2. 



be flannel, woollen cloth, or, best of all, fur. Boyle 

 discovered that an electri- 

 fied body is itself at- 

 tracted by one that has 

 not been electrified. This 

 may be verified (see Fig. 

 3) by rubbing a stick of 

 sealing-wax, or a glass rod, 

 and hanging it in a wire 

 loop at the end of a silk 

 thread. If then, the hand 

 be held out towards the 

 suspended electrified body, 

 it will turn round and ap- 

 proach the hand. So, 

 again, a piece of silk rib- 

 bon, if rubbed with warm 

 indiarubber, or even if drawn between two pieces of 

 warm flannel, and then held up by one end, will be 



found to be attracted 

 by objects presented to 

 it. If held near the 

 wall of the room it will 

 fly to it and stick to it. 

 With proper precau- 

 tions it can be shown 

 that both the rubber 

 , and the thing rubbed 

 are in an electrified 

 state, for both will 

 attract light bodies ; 

 Fi ^ but to show this, care 



must be taken not to 



handle the rubber too much. Thus, if it is desired to 

 show that when a piece of rabbit's fur is rubbed upon 

 sealing-wax, the fur becomes also electrified, it is better 

 not to take the fur in the hand, but to fasten it to the 



