228 A PEEP AT 



or reliable in these experiments when shown only by 

 one person. But when others, knowing nothing of 

 previous experiments, are taken upon the ground, and 

 precisely the same attracting influences are found in 

 precisely the same places, the experiments then 

 assume an importance which imperatively demands 

 investigation. Such has been the case in this in- 

 stance, and each trial has been productive of precisely 

 the same results. 



Admitting, then, that the phenomenon described 

 be as stated, and that imposition on the part of the 

 experimenters is impossible, are there any principles 

 of natural science which will explain it. It is obvious 

 to my own mind that it is owing to electrical influen- 

 ces, and that it may be found to act in obedience to 

 known laws in electrical science. 



To prove this, let the conducting medium be cut 

 off by interposing a silk handkerchief between the 

 point of the rod bent downwards and the stream or 

 attracting influence below, and the rods instantly fly 

 back again. Remove the handkerchief, and the rods 

 point down as before. Insulate the operator, by pla- 

 cing him upon wax, or the insulating stool, and the 

 attraction instantly ceases. Connect him with the 

 earth again by passing a chain from one foot to the 



