Chap. 21. v*TrMife of BODIES. 237 



that this fupcriority of ftrength in the pole of die needle char is 

 applied to the weaker pole of the ftonc, may couiucrpoifethe 

 excefi'e of the ftrongcr pole of the (tons, over ics oppoficc weak- 

 er pole; though not in greatnctte and quamiry, yet in refpe& o r 

 :he virtue which is communicable to the poles of the needle ; 

 whereby its comportment to the poles of the (tone is determi- 

 ned. And indeed the needles lying parallele to the axis ofthc 

 /tone when the middle of it (ticketh to the equator or" the (lone, 

 convinceth that upon the whole ma:ter> there is nocxceficin 

 the efficacious working of either of the (tones poles: but that 

 their cxcefie over one another in regard of themfcives is balan- 

 ced by the needles receiving it. 



But ifthe needle hapncth to touch cheloadftonein feme part 

 nearer one pole then the other; in this cafe it is manifcft that the 

 force of the (tone is greater on the one fide ofthc needles touch, 

 then on the other fide ; becaufe there is a greater quantity of the 

 ftone on the one fide of the needle then on the ocher : and by 

 confequence the needle will inrlinethat way which the greater 

 force drawcth it ; fofar forth as the other part doth not hinder 

 it. Now we know that ifthe greater part were divided from the 

 reft, and ib were an entire Joadilone by it fclf ( that is, ifthe 

 loaciftone were cut off where the needle touchcth it) then the 

 needle would joyn it fclf to the pole, that is to the end, of that 

 part : and by confcquence, would be tending to it, in fuch fort 

 as a thin; that is (I.cke.i tendeth towards the li:cker againft the 

 motion or force which cometh from the Icffer part : and on the 

 other fide the leiler part of the ftone which is on the other fide 

 of the point which the needle touchethmuft hinder this inclina- 

 tion ofthc needle according to the proportion of i:s ftrength ; 

 and fb it folleweth> that the needle will hang by its end,. not di- 

 re&Iy fee to the end of the greater part,but as much inclining 

 towards it as the letter part doth not hinder by ftnving to pull 

 it the other way. Out of w hich we gather the true caufe of the 

 needles declination, to wit the proportion of working of the two 

 uncquall parts of the (tone, between which ic toucheth and is 

 joyned to the (lone. 



And we likeuife difcover their en our who judge that the 9. 



part which drawcth iron is the next pole unto the iron. For ic 5.V :i ?i c of 



ihc loaiiftcM 



is rather the contrary pole which attrictecn ; or to (peak more 



pro- 



