FRASER — ON MA&NETISM. 39 



force commonly called " electricity." The effects of that force 

 are seen in the atmosphere and in coimection with the dissolv- 

 ing and reforming of substances, in animals and in vegetables, 

 and more particularly in coimection with metals. From a close 

 examination of the observations and experiments of others, to- 

 gether with those of my own, I propose to state what I believe 

 to be the nature and action of that force, or of magnetism, and 

 its application to, and operation on telegraph lines and subma- 

 rine cables. I find in all atoms an inherent power (an atomic 

 power), more "or" (and) less in all matter, which power is 

 brought into action only when the atoms are under certain con- 

 ditions, which power is similar to that noticed in steel, and 

 there called magnetism. All atoms can be arranged into two 

 separate classes — "mineral" and "vegetable." These classes 

 of atoms have properties in common, and also dissimilar pro- 

 perties. When these two classes of atoms are in the form of 

 gases or liquid, and come into contact, their atomic power is 

 brought into action, by which power each class attracts its like, 

 causing a reciprocal action, which, in combination with the dis- 

 similar properties of these classes of produce what is commonly 

 known as chemical action. This action cannot be produced 

 without the agency of the tiuo classes of atoms, and then only 

 when they are presented under certain conditions. In solids 

 the magnetic or atomic power of those atoms are brought into 

 action through the agency of water, which holds both classes in 

 solution. When the two classes of atoms are in an " insul- 

 ated " position in the atmosphere, and then under certain 

 conditions, their action produces and exhibits what is called 

 " Electricity.^'' Thus the force producing electricity as exhibit- 

 ed by a telegraph line, is caused by that atomic, natural, mag- 

 netic, reciprocal, chemical action, in the battery, decomposing 

 the metals and the acid, through the agency of water, which 

 force and action converts the line into a magnet, at the will of 

 the operator, and only conditionally exhibits electricity. There 

 is no electric current except at the poles, and there only when 

 they are in juxta position, and where that action is insulated 

 from the earth. I will now explain the cause of that involuntary 

 atomic action by its natural law in the battery producing mag- 



