constiliu'iit III' ni.'ittiT; and llicii' aix- xmic writers who go so 

 far as to claim that matter is ik illiiiii^" l)iit inrcv in \arious forms 

 of iiianifcslatii -n. \\ i- kimw iliat, witliin ccitain ci-itical limits, 

 there is a constant chh and How of such cncrj^ry_ f,,,- matter is 

 conti^nially chansj^inj,'- temperature and molecular ad)ustment; 

 continually expandin.!^- and contract inj^- as it absorbs or jjarts 

 with a portion of its heat sujiply. There are causes which com- 

 municate to the electron, the atom and the molecule an excess 

 of energy, causing liigher rates of vibration, extending their 

 orbits. — expanding the mass. The i)rocess of equilibration comes 

 in to dissi]-)ate the surplus energy in radiation and convection — 

 to equalize tem])eratures all along tlie line, — -and the mass con- 

 tracts. Heat is a mode of motion, and the varialjle C|uantitics of 

 this form of energy absorbed by the mass must be taken up 

 in the motions of its constituent elements. This augmentation 

 or dissipation of contained energy pressed beyond either critical 

 limit, up or down, results in a radical modification of the molecu- 

 lar bond, and matter changes form ; as water to ice at one ex- 

 treme, and to steam at the other. Hence we know that the 

 energy contained in matter and constituting one of its essential 

 elements, if not the whole thing, is a variable quantity, subject 

 to dissipation, renewal, augmentation ; and on the amount of en- 

 ergy embodied depends the form that matter assumes. 



Now, returning to the magnet with wdiich we began our dis- 

 cussion, we find additional light thrown upon the subject. The 

 play of energy through this object with its peculiar molecular 

 adjustment has been systematized, cumulated, directed, focused, 

 and becomes the force which w"e call magnetism. Investigation 

 discloses that there are little thread-like, curved, invisible lines of 

 force reaching out from the poles of the magnet, and joining 

 them together like the glow of an arc-light. It is these lines 

 of force which take hold of the keeper and bring it into con- 

 tact with the poles of the magnet, where it is firmly held. If we 

 wish the magnet to draw a diagram of these lines of force, we 

 have only to sprinkle some iron filings upon a piece of paper 

 and hold it over the two poles. The filings will be quickly ar- 

 ranged along such curved lines, and they will all be placed 

 longitudinally, according to polarity. A further examination 

 would show that each particle in line presents its own north 

 pole to the south pole of the succeeding particle, thus exemplify- 

 ing the arrangement which w^e have hypothecated for the 

 magnet itself. Now we have this mysterious force, this "action 

 at a distance," diagramed by itself. We can see how, if not 

 why, it is capable of reaching out with its invisible fingers, and 

 performing a physical action. Ampere demonstrated that this 

 magnetic force varies directly with the power of the magnet and 

 inversely with the square of the distance, in close correspond- 

 ence with the law of gravitation. That is why our magnet was 



26 



