416 INDUCTION. 



is cause and which effect, we rightly deem the ques- 

 tion solved if we can ascertain which of them pre 

 ceded the other. 



7. It continually happens that several different 

 phenomena, which are not in the slightest degree 

 dependent or conditional upon one another, are found 

 all to depend, as the phrase is, upon one and the same 

 agent ; in other words, one and the same phenomenon 

 is seen to be followed by several sorts of effects quite 

 heterogeneous, but which go on simultaneously one 

 with another ; provided, of course, that all other con- 

 ditions requisite for each of them also exist. Thus, 

 the sun produces the celestial motions, it produces 

 daylight, and it produces heat. The earth causes the 

 fall of heavy bodies, and it also, in its capacity of an 

 immense magnet, causes the phenomena of the mag- 

 netic needle. A crystal of galena causes the sensa- 

 tions of hardness, of weight, of cubical form, of grey 

 colour, and many others between which we can trace 

 no interdependence. The purpose to which the phra- 

 seology of Properties and Powers is specially adapted, 

 is the expression of this sort of cases. When the 

 same phenomenon is followed (either subject or not to 

 the presence of other conditions,) by effects of different 

 and dissimilar orders, it is usual to say that each dif- 

 ferent sort of effect is produced by a different property 

 of the cause. Thus we distinguish the attractive, or 

 gravitative, property of the earth, and its magnetic 

 property; the gravitative, luminiferous, and calorific 

 properties of the sun ; the colour, shape, weight, and 

 hardness of the crystal. These are mere phrases, 

 which explain nothing, and add nothing to our know- 

 ledge of the subject ; but, considered as abstract 

 names denoting the connexion between the different 



