RECAPITULATION. 46l 



ABSTRACT OF ELECTRICITY. 



1. Electricity is supposed to be a. fluid, which 

 pervades all substances, and when undisturbed, re- 

 mains in a state of equilibrio. 



2. The portion which every body is supposed 

 to contain is called its natural share. 



S. When a body is by any means possessed of 

 more or less than its natural share, it is said to be 

 electrified, or charged. 



4. If it possesses more than its natural quantity, 

 it is said to be positively electrified ; if it contain 

 less than its natural share, it is said to be negatively 

 electrified. 



5. Bodies through which the electric fluid passes 

 freely are called conductors, or non-electrics. Those 

 bodies which oppose the passage of electricity, are 

 called non-conductors, or electrics. 



6. The equilibrium of the electric fluid is dis- 

 turbed by the friction of bodies against each other, 

 and electricity is then said to be produced, or ex- 

 cited. 



7 / . Electricity is excited in the greatest quantity, 

 by the friction of conductors and non-conductors 

 against each other. 



8. Two bodies, both, positively, or both Jiegatively 

 electrified, repel each other ; whereas, if one body 

 be positive, and the other negative, they will attract 

 each other. 



9. Upon this principle electrometers, or instru- 

 ments for ascertaining the degree in which a body 

 is electrified, are constructed. 



10. If a body, containing only its natural share 

 of electricity, be presented sufficiently near to a 

 body electrified, positively or negatively, a quantity 



