30 nature's flMracles. 



their combined force is felt outside. The 

 analogy may not be perfect, but it will help 

 you to get a mental picture of what takes place 

 in iron when it is magnetized. 



We have now described the magnet and the 

 inherent power residing in the molecular 

 structure of iron. It is this magic power 

 slumbering in its molecules and the ability of 

 the electric current to arouse them to action 

 at will and to hold them in action and at will 

 let them fly back to their normal position, that 

 gives to electricity and magnetism twin sis- 

 ters in nature's household their great value 

 as the servants of man. There would be no 

 virtue in winding up a weight if it could not 

 run down and do work in its fall. Simply 

 bending a bow would never send the arrow 

 flying over its course; it must be released as 

 well. The magnet could not accomplish the 

 great work it does if we could only charge it 

 and not have the ability to discharge it. With- 

 out this ability the electric motor would not 

 revolve, the electric light would not burn, the 

 click of the telegraph would not be heard, the 

 telephone would not talk, nor would the telau- 

 tograph write. 



I have said that the permanent magnet 

 would hold its charge after once having been 

 magnetized. This is true only in a sense and 

 under favorable conditions. If made of the 

 best of steel for the purpose and hardened and 



