J. Lovering — Measuring the Velocity of Electricity. 211 



The difference in age of the Huronian and Laurentian having 

 been proven, as already remarked,* by observed non-conforma- 

 bility, by the great rarity, in the younger series, of granite and 

 greenstone dykes so numerous in the older, warrants us in re- 

 asserting the same kind and degree of unity and independence 

 regarding the Huronian series. 



The considerable amount of carbon disti-ibuted through the 

 ^ ' indicating much organic life in that period, leads us 



i^e, and that we shall yet be able to avail ourselv 

 logy in determining the age of this system. 

 The Laurentian rocks have been too little studied to ^ 

 L opinion as to whether they may be separated into t 

 ore non-conformable systems, as has been attempted in C; 



Perhaps it is not too strong a statement to say that a (juestion 

 is half answered when it is properly asked. Now when it is asked, 

 What is the velocity of electricity, there is no strict pro].riety in 

 the question. For electricity has no velocity, in the common sense 

 of the word velocity. There is no analogy between the tmnsmission 

 of an electrical disturbance and the propagation of liui)t,ursound, 

 or radiant heat, for example. The mathematical theory of tiie gal- 

 5 stated by Ohm in 1827, and the more recent anal- 



disturbance is proportional to the total electro-statical ca{)acity 

 of the conductor, multiplied by its total resistance. As each of 

 these factors increases with the leni^th of the conductor, the time 



travel. If it be asked, 



would be more hope of a definite answer. The distinctiot 

 dicated will do much towards reconciling? the contradictor 

 of experiment in regard to what is erroneously called the 

 of electricity ; these experiments making the velocity app^ 

 " -itimes as great as 288,000 miles a" second, and some 

 ; than 800 miles a second. In the first case the ex] 

 made on a very short conductor, and in the second c 



* See my Michigan Report, v. 

 , t From the Proceedings of 1 



