76 Additional Notes. 



of two ethers, like the electric one which it surrounds: but these 

 ethers are probably more subtile as they permeate all bodies; and 

 Avhen they unite by the reciprocal approach of the bodies, which they 

 surround, they do not appear to emit heat and light, as the primary 

 electric atmospheres do; and therefore they are simpler fluids, as they 

 are not previously combined with heat and light. The secondary mag- 

 netic atmospheres are also probably more subtile or simple than the 

 primary ones. 



Hence we may suppose, that not only all the larger insulated masses 

 of matter, but all the minute particles also, which constitute those 

 masses, are surrounded by two ethereal fluids; which like the electric 

 and magnetic ones attract each other forcibly, and as forcibly repel 

 those of the same denomination; and at the same time strongly adhere 

 to the bodies, which they surround. Secondly that these ethers are of 

 the finer kind, like those secondary ones, which surround the pri- 

 mary electric and magnetic ethers; and that therefore they do not 

 explode giving out heat and light when they unite, but simply com- 

 bine, and become neutral; and lastly, that they surround different 

 bodies in different proportions, as the vitreous and resinous electric 

 ethers were shown to surround silver and zinc and many other metals 

 in different proportions in No. IX. of this note. 



5. For the greater ease of conversing on this subject, we shall call 

 these two ethers, with which all bodies are surrounded, the mascu- 

 line and the feminine ethers; and suppose them to possess the proper- 

 ties above mentioned. We should here however previously observe, 

 that in chemical processes it is necessary, that the bodies, which are 

 to combine or unite with each other, should be in a fluid state, and 

 the particles in contact with each other; thus when salt is dissolving 

 in water, the particles of salt unite with those of the water, which 

 touch them; these particles of water become saturated, and thence 

 attract some of the saline particles with less force; which are there- 

 fore attracted from them by those behind ; and the first particles of 

 water are again saturated from the solid salt ; or in some similar pro- 

 cesses the saturated combinations may subside or evaporate, as in the 

 union of the two electric ethers, or in the explosion of gun-powder, 

 and thus those in their vicinity may approach each other. This ne- 



