373 



Considerations were then adduced, with a view of render- 

 ing it probable that the electric fluid is matter in some extra- 

 ordinary state of constitution. If it be matter, its constituents 

 are probably endowed with chemical attraction, a property of 

 which no known kind of matter is destitute : a kind of chemi- 

 cal combination of all the constituent elements would be the 

 result. The affinity of the elements would keep them toge- 

 ther, and this would explain the ready passage of all the con- 

 stituents through conductors ; one constituent, namely the 

 " electricity proper," conveying the other constituents, some 

 of which may not possess the same ready conductibility. 

 Thus the electric fluid, either in its state of frictional, voltaic, 

 or any other electricity, ought to pass with its known facility 

 through the same bodies, and be intercepted by the same 

 bodies, and so we find it. 



In assuming that chemical affinity is thus transported to a 

 distance, Mr. Donovan stated, that there is no innovation on 

 opinions at present entertained by philosophers; and he re- 

 ferred to statements by Sir H. Davy, Faraday, Berzelius, Am- 

 pere, Schoenbein, and others, in support of that statement. 

 That a distinct constituent element, possessing chemical 

 powers, should exist in the compound called the electric 

 fluid, associated with heat, prismatic rays, and magnetism, is 

 neither less intelligible nor more improbable than that the 

 very same elements should be found associated in the sun's 

 rays. With regard to the existence of magnetism in the sun's 

 rays, the author conceived that such a number of witnesses 

 as Morichini, Carpi, Rodolfi, Davy, Playfair, Somerville, 

 Baumgartner, and the Messrs. Knox, could not all have been 

 deceived. 



Admitting the agents in common and voltaic electricity to 

 be compounds of certain constituent elements, the same in 

 number and nature, but very different in proportions, or per- 

 haps differently combined, they may be considered as fluids 

 perfectly diff"erent ; in the same way as chemists pronounce 



