48 Additional Note*. 



II. Preliminary Propositions. 



The following propositions concerning Electricity and Galvanism 

 will either be proved by direct experiments, or will be rendered pro- 

 bable by their tending to explain or connect the variety of electric 

 facts, to which they will be applied. 



1. There are two kinds of electric ether, which exist either sepa- 

 rately or in combination. That which is accumulated on the surface 

 of smooth glass, when it is rubbed with a cushion, is here termed 

 vitreous ether; and that wiuch is accumulated on the surface of resin 

 or sealing-wax, when it is rubbed with a cushion, is here termed 

 resinous ether; and a combination of them, as in their usual state, 

 may be termed neutral electric ethers. 



2. Atmospheres of vitreous or of resinous or of neutral electricity 

 surround all separate bodies, are attracted by them, and permeate 

 those, which are called conductors, as metallic and aqueous and car- 

 bonic ones; but will not permeate those, which are termed noncon- 

 ductors, as air, glass, silk, resin, sulphur. 



3. The particles of vitreous electric ether strongly repel each other 

 as they surround other bodies; but strongly attract the particles of 

 resinous electric ether : in similar manner the particles of the resinous 

 ether powerfully repel each other, and as powerfully attract those of 

 the vitreous ether. Hence in their separate state they appear to occupy 

 much greater space, as they gravitate round insulated bodies, and are 

 then only cognizable by our senses or experiments. They rush violently 

 together through conducting substances, and then probably possess 

 much less space in this their combined state. They thus resemble 

 oxygen gas and nitrous gas; which rush violently together when in 

 contact ; and occupy less space when united, than either of them pos- 

 sessed separately before their union. When the two electric ethers 

 thus unite, a chemical explosion occurs, like an ignited train of gun- 

 powder; as they give out light and heat; and rend or fuse the bodies 

 they occupy; which cannot be accounted for on the mechanical theory 

 of Dr. Franklin. 



