ON THE SONOROUS PROPERTIES OF GASSE3, <25Q 



in different parts of the day, and also in different days and 



seasons, as the aerial electroscope shows variations in the 



electric state of the air in the same circumstances. These 



two kinds of variations, therefore, deserve to be followed, 



comparatively with each other, and in their connexion with 



other atmospheric phenomena, as these observations may 



forward oar knowledge respecting the magnetic Jiuid, which 



probably, As well as the electric fluid, by its composition, 



decomposition, and combination witli other substances, has 



an influence in terrestrial phenomena. 



The loadstone with respect to magnetism, and the tour- Both magiie- 



tnalin to electricity, are bodies which produce these pheno- **!™ ^"^,^'^';" 

 _ "^ ^ , \ tricity natural- 



inena from their own nature ; but there is a method in our ly inherent in 



power to produce them by other bodies, namely friction : somebodies, 

 . . . . . , ,. . and produced 



It IS therefore very important, m either case, to discover in in others by 



what manner friction acts to produce these effects. We "action. 

 have yet no hold in this pursuit with respect to magnetic 

 phenomena, but some light may be reflected upon them 

 by a determination of the manner in \v\i\e\i friction produces 

 electric phenomena. I have studied this subject with much 

 attention, and I propose to relate, in another paper, some 

 experiments of this kind, leading to the analysis of the 

 electric machine, and demonstrating the errour of the idea 

 of two kinds of electricities, or of two fluids acting ia the 

 electric phenomena. 

 Ashfeld, near Honiton, 

 1st October, 1810. 



II. 



The results of fome Experiments on the sonorous -Properties 

 of the Gasses, by Mr. F. Kerby and Mr. Merrick, jun., 

 of Cirencester. 



To Mr. TsnCHOLSON. 

 SIR, 



C 



ONSIDERING the facility of procuring most of the Experiments 



gasses, it is, probably, in consequence of the difficulty of rousirroper:ie9 

 employing them for the purpose, that so few experiments of the gasses. 



have 



