CANTO in. PROGRESS OF THE MIND. 85 



Beneath the waves the fierce Gymnotus arm, 

 And give Torpedo his benumbing charm; 

 Or, through Galvanic chain-work as they pass, 

 Convert the kindling water into gas. 



How at the poles opposing Ethers dwell, 

 Attract the quivering needle, or repel. 

 How Gravitation by immortal laws 

 Surrounding matter to a centre draws; 30 



How Heat, pervading oceans, airs, and lands, 

 With force uncheck'd the mighty mass expands; 

 And last how born in elemental strife 

 Beam'd the first spark, and lighten'd into Life. 



and by the gymnotus, are supposed to be similar to those of the Gal- 

 vanic pile, as they are produced in water. Which water is decom- 

 posed by the Galvanic pile and converted into oxygen and hydrogen 

 gas; see Additional Note XII. 



The magnetic ether may also be supposed to consist of two fluids, 

 one of which attracts the needle, and the other repels it; and, per- 

 haps, chemical affinities, and gravitation itself, may consist of two 

 kinds of ether surrounding the particles of bodies, and may thence 

 attract at one distance and repel at another; as appears when two 

 insulated electrised balls are approached to each other, or when two 

 small globules of mercury are pressed together. 



