133 



The magnetic current of the earth's surface is over-pow- 

 -ered and the needle turns and twists as though agi- 

 tated by an electric storm, a phenomenon which can 

 often be remarked on the magnets of telegraph stations, 

 because the wires which convey the galvanic currents 

 pass over a large area and becoming charged in the 

 .atmosphere of storms, produce a magnetic tumult and 

 confusion. 



In my discussion of the general question concerning 

 exchange of matter on the earlh 1 have made this di- 

 gression and spoken of storm-clouds and the barometri- 

 -cal maximum and minimum, to show that electricity, 

 appearing in the form of lightning, is neither more nor 

 less than the animal heat of our planet, the Earth, the 

 scientific proof of which lies in the magnetic needle, 

 which under such storm influences is diverted from its 

 natural direction. The normal direction of the needle 

 indicates the magnetic force of the earth's life, a force 

 hitherto little known, but which in practical and technical 

 affairs has been of signal service to man. The existence 

 of such vital force can only be doubted longer by an 

 .absolute ignoramus. 



Speaking of atmospherical maximums and minimums, 

 I must refer again to the causes of their appearance. 

 Properly speaking the barometrical maximum is caused 

 by increased local supply of oxo-hydrogen throwing up 

 the azote to extreme altitudes. There seems to be no 

 other discovered cause for this phenomenon, but for the 

 barometrical minimum there exist two known causes: 

 the first that which I have described, i. e. heat, produ- 

 cing thunder and lightning; the second an atmospheric 

 chill, mostly autumnal, producing continuous rains. 



The cold minimum also is the result of movement 

 of azote. Drifting in the form of wind in the direction of 

 some barometrical elevation this gas not seldom receives 

 a course from North to South. The warm azote further 

 south is then replaced by it, and as cold contracts all 

 bodies, vegetation closing its pores under the chilly in- 



