EXPERIMENTS WITH THE TOP LEE MACHINE. 131 



electricity were derived from the earth, we must infer 

 that its generation precedes the generation of ozone, 

 instead of being coincident with it. But the insulation 

 proves that the earth does not supply the electricity ; 

 so that the weight of evidence is in favor of ozone being 

 the direct result of electric generation, rather than a 

 result of subsequent electric action. And, if such is 

 the case, it is strong proof that the air is the chief 

 source of electric supply. 



The generation of ozone by atmospheric electricity 

 during thunder storms is a well-known fact; and clouds, 

 floating miles above the earth, must obtain their elec- 

 tricity either from their own vapor, or the air, or both. 

 Such clouds, at different electric potentials, insulated 

 from the earth, acting inductively on each other, and 

 finally producing a discharge, fulfill the same conditions 

 as exist in the Topler machine ; and the generation of 

 ozone is doubtless due to the same cause in both. And 

 since the vapor of the cloud corresponds to the material 

 of the machine, and it has been shown that the electric 

 supply of the machine from its own material must be 

 very limited ; and since the machine operates most 

 effectively in a dry atmosphere, and hence does not 

 derive its electricity from vapor ; we may infer that the 

 electric action is the same in both cases, and that the 

 air is the chief source of electric supply. 



It is evident from the movement of particles of dust 

 and other light bodies towards the machine, that the 

 air in which these atoms float must have a similar 

 movement ; that currents of air are constantly flowing 

 to the machine and that this air, after being changed 

 to the same electric potential, is repelled, and air at a 

 different potential flows in to take its place ;. a move- 



