IDENTICAL CHANGES 



formation is an inherent quality of any substance, 

 or of the atoms composing a substance, there is 

 then no hope of ever learning the real nature of 

 magnetism. 



And if the power of the magnet to attract can 

 be exerted on another substance without there 

 being any intervening material to take part in 

 the attraction, then that power to attract is an 

 occult power, without the circle of human rea- 

 soning. 



But magnetism may be induced in steel that 

 shows no previous magnetism, and with the help 

 of substances that are not themselves magnetic; 

 therefore, magnetism is not an inherent quality of 

 substances, but an acquired condition. And be- 

 cause the power of any magnet to attract is di- 

 minished after the square, by the increase of dis- 

 tance between the magnet and the substance upon 

 which it acts, therefore, magnetism is transmitted 

 through void matter in plane layers. (Prop. XII, 

 B. 3.) 



Magnetism is closely related to Gravity and many 

 laws are common to both. Yet magnetism does not 

 show a strict relation to mass; a magnet weighing 

 a pound may be weak or comparatively strong, but 

 it seems as if it were impossible to make a magnet 

 capable of lifting more than the weight of all the 

 material taking part in the action of the magnet. 



Then because magnetism is not manifested in 

 strict relation to Mass, it is evident that it is not 

 a quality, condition or engagement involving the 

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