344 Dr. Hare on the Theories of Electrical Phenomena. 
there must be room for six times as many atoms as it actually 
olds. 
30. With all due deference, I am of opinion that this distin- 
uished philosopher has not been consistent in assuming that, 
agreeably to the Newtonian idea of ponderable atoms, the space. 
in potassium not replete with metal must be vacant; since, accor- 
ding to facts established by his researches, or resulting therefrom, 
an enormous quantity, both of the causes of heat and of electrici- 
city, exists in metals. Moreover, agreeably to his recent specula- 
tions, those causes must consist of material, independent, impon- 
derable matter, occupying the whole of the space in which their 
efficacy is perceptible. To the evolution of the imponderable 
matter thus associated, the incandescence of a globule of potassi- 
um on contact with water, may be ascribed, since it is the conse- 
quence of the displacement of such matter by the elements of - 
water, which, in replacing it, converts the metal into the hydrated 
oxyd called caustic potash. 
e existence both of the causes of electricity and heat in 
metals, is likewise confirmed by the fact, that the inductive influ- 
ence of a magnet is sufficient to cause all the phenomena of heat, 
electrolysis and magnetism, as exemplified by the magneto-elec- 
tric machine. The existence of the cause of heat in metals is 
also evident from the ignition of an iron rod when hammered, or 
on of wire by the discharge of a Leyden battery. 
32. The superiority of metals as electrical conductors, may be 
the consequence of the pre-eminent abundance of imponderable 
matter entering into their composition, as above alluded to in the 
case of potassium. 
33. Graham, in his Elements, treating of electricity, alleges 
that the “great discoveries of Faraday have completely altered 
the aspect of this department of science, and suggests that all elec- 
trical phenomena whatever involve the presence of matter.” Un- 
less the distinguished author, from whom this quotation is made, 
intended to restrict the meaning of the word matter to ponderable 
matter, there was no novelty in the idea that electrical phenome- 
na involve the presence of matter, since the hypotheses of Frank- 
lin and Dufay assume the existence of one or more imponderable 
material fluids. But, on the other hand, if the meaning of the 
word matter is only to comprise that which is ponderable, the 
allegation is inconsistent with the authority cited. According to 
the researches of Faraday, there is an enormous electrical power 
in metals, and according to his speculations, such powers must 
be considered as imponderable material principles, pervading the 
space within which they prevail, independently of any pondera 
atom acting asa basis for material properties; the existence of 
such atoms being represented as questionable. 
SS eee 
