Conchology. 241 



conductor, held to the side opposite to the ribins. The effect 

 of this was, that all of these became electrified; but whether the 

 state of their excitement was like to, or differing from, that of the 

 plate-, depended altogether on the manner of their removal, except 

 that the ribin which was most remote always exhibited the oppor 

 site state of electricity to that of the metallic plate. 



' Numerous other experiments, equally simple and easy of ac- 

 complishment, may be made on the electric properties of silk, 

 which are, no doubt, familiar to such persons as have at all at- 

 tended to the science of electricity. Silk, more remarkably than 

 any other substance, exhibits a strong and permanent, attractive, 

 and repulsive electric power. Its property of exciting electricity 

 by friction is of extensive application, causing it to hold an impor- 

 tant place among the substances employed to exhibit the wonders 

 of this science: silk always forms part of the apparatus of elec- 

 trifying machines. 



' No attempt has been here made to bring forward anything 

 new, or that has not been long well known upon the subject; but 

 as many persons are prone to consider thatexperirhents on scien- 

 tific subjects must necessarily be invested with complexity, which 

 places them beyond accomplishment by the uninitiated, the above 

 trifling detail will serve to prove the fallacy of this opinion. The 

 inartificial nature of the operations places them within the reach 

 of all who are disposed to repeat them; and some natural phe- 

 nomena may thus be brought within the observation of every 

 one; adding one more instance to the crowd of examples where- 

 with we are surrounded, that the most simple substances of daily 

 use, whose qualities of beauty or convenience are alone under- 

 stood by the multitude, may be made to afford to the mind of 

 the inquirer matter for philosophical amusement and instruction.' 



CONCHOLOGY. 



JSfO. IX. 



Of the Methods of Polishing Shells. The art of pol- 

 ishing shells has but lately reached its present state of perfection; 

 and as the admiration of sea shells has become so general, it may 

 be expected we should give some instructions in the means of add- 

 ing to their natural beauty. 



