SCIENCE OF COMMON THINGS. 295 



Magnetism. Natural magnets. Where found. 



CHAPTER III 



MAGNETISM. 



1909 Is there any connection "between magnetism and electricity f 



There is every reason to believe that magnetism and 

 electricity are but modifications of one force. 



10 1O What is a loadstone or a natural magnet f- 



It is an ore of iron, known as the "protoxide of 

 iron" or " magnetic oxide of iron" which is capable 

 of attracting other pieces of iron to itself; and if sus- 

 pended freely by a thread, and left to take its own po- 

 sition, it will arrange itself so that its extremities will 

 point towards the north and south, poles of the earth. 



1911 Are natural magnets rare ? 



They are not they are found in many places in the 

 United States. In Arkansas, especially, an ore of iron 

 possessing remarkably strong attractive powers is very 

 abundant. 



The magnetic ore is usually of a dark 

 grey hue, and possesses but little me- 

 tallic lustre. Fig. 91. If a piece of this 

 ore be dipped in iron filings, or a number 

 of small needles, they will generally be 

 found collected and clinging together in 

 great quantities at two opposite extremi- 

 ties, as represented in the figure, whilst 

 the middle portion is nearly destitute. 

 The magnetic property, whatever it may F5 B . 91. 



be, seems therefore to be collected and act 

 with the greatest energy at two opposite extremes; these have been 

 termed poles. 



1913 What is the origin of the terms " magnet" and " magnetism ?" 



The loadstone or natural magnet was first found at 

 Magnesia, in Lydia, Asia, whence were derived the 

 names. 



1913 Can a natural magnet communicate its attractive properties to 

 sther bodies by contact ? 



It can, and that too without any apparent loss of 

 attractive strength. 



