SCIENTIFIC READINGS. 



ATTRACTION. 



Attraction defined Different kinds of attraction Gravitation, particular and 

 general Law of Calling bodies Electric, Galvanic, and Magnetic attractions 

 Attraction of Cohesion Capillary attraction Chemical affinity, simple 

 and compound, &c. 



ATTRACTION is a term used to denote that principle 

 by which bodies have a mutual tendency to approach 

 each other. Attraction may be divided into t\vo kinds : 

 that which extends to sensible distances, and affects 

 bodies in the mass, as the attraction of gravitation, elec- 

 tric and magnetic attractions ; and that which exists be- 

 tween the particles of bodies, as the attraction of cohesion 

 and chemical attraction. 



The attraction of gravitation is again divided into 

 particular and general gravitation. Particular gravita- 

 tion, or gravity, is that which respects the action of the 

 earth on different bodies. All bodies, by virtue of this 

 principle, appear to have a tendency towards a point in 

 or near the centre of the earth, which point is necessarily 

 fixed, otherwise its changing its position, in ever so tri- 

 fling a degree, would cause the land to be overflowed by 

 the ocean on that side of the globe to -which it might 

 approach. The force of gravity is found to be nearly 

 equal at all places equidistant from the earth ; it also 

 affects all bodies in a like degree, the resistance of the 

 air alone preventing bodies of a loose structure from 

 falling with the same velocity as bodies of a more dense 

 and compact nature. The power of gravity is greatest 



