Gyrostatic Experiments. 91 



tween the vibrations of sound and the vibrations of light, and 

 a brilliant suggestion made by Professor Fitzgerald (whom he 

 was very pleased to see present) four years ago at Southport 

 gave the key to the solution of the question. He suggested the 

 employment of electric vibrators, and that suggestion had been 

 realised in Herz's splendid work within the past year, and the 

 gap which we so desired to fill had been filled. It is 

 almost impossible to go a step in the study of physics and 

 dynamics without the aid of gyrostatics, and that is the reason 

 the lecturer is interested in them — not merely because the phe- 

 nomena they present are curious and interesting in them- 

 selves. But in studying and reconciling the laws of light, the 

 laws of magnetism, the laws of electricity, and the laws of the 

 elasticity of matter, gyrostatics play an undoubtedly important 

 part. 



Sir William concluded with a number of experiments tend- 

 ing to show the effect of gyrostatic domination in giving stabi- 

 lity where instability exists, &c. One of the most interesting 

 examples was the propulsion of smoke wreaths or rings, demon- 

 strating the power of rotatory motion on so delicate a medium. 

 Another curious effect obtained was the imparting of stability 

 to water by means of rapid rotatory motion. In conclusion, he 

 said that although the theory of which he had endeavoured to 

 give some explanation is by no means complete, yet it will 

 doubtless in time be rendered so, and meanwhile anything that 

 tends to advance even a step towards the desired end is 

 worthy of our attention. 



