Chemistry and Physics. 257 
chief constituents by magnetic force alone. I made an experiment for 
this purpose, but did not succeed; but I am not convinced that it cannot 
be d r since we can actually distinguish certain gases, and es- 
pecially these, by their magnetic properties, it does not seem impossi- 
ble that sufficient power might cause their separation from a state of 
mixture.” 
He next tried the effect with the gases heated, and found it a gene- 
ral rule, as far as his experiments went, that hot gas was diamagnetic 
to cold. 
In conclusion he observes: ‘ Such are the results I have obtained in 
verifying and extending the discovery made by P. Bancalari. 1 would 
say almost proved; for it is not, as yet, proved in fact. That many, 
and most, gaseous bodies are subject to magnetic force, is proved ; but 
the zero is not yet distinguished. Now, until it is distinguished, we 
cannot tell which gaseous bodies will rank as diamagnetic and which as 
magnetic ; and, also, whether there may not be some standing at zero. 
There is evidently no natural impossibility to some gases or vapors be- 
ing magnetic, or that some should be neither magnetic nor diamagnetic. 
It is the province of experiment to decide such points ; and the affirm- 
ative or negative may not be asserted before such proof is given, though 
it may, very philosophically, be believed. 
“For myself I have always believed that the zero was represented 
by a vacuum, and that no body really stood with it. 
Magnetic properties, but now all such power by rarefaction appears to 
be taken away.’ And further down at 2435, ‘ Whether the negative 
Tesults obtained by the use of gases and vapors, depend upon the 
smaller quantity of matter in a given volume, 
direct co i 
ry . But where the true zero is, or that every body is 
More or less removed from it on one side or the other, is not, as yet, 
tally shown or proved. 
