Prof. Norton on Molecular Physics. 209 



upon the varying magnetic or electric condition of the sun, and 

 indicate that they are closely connected with the varying inten- 

 sity of the magnetizing or demagnetizing action of the system of 

 secondary magnetic currents developed by the sun's progressive 

 motion, in conjunction with the cooperative action of the elec- 

 tric waves that proceed from the region (long. 253° andlat. 57°) 

 upon which the impulses of the aether and cosmical matter fall 

 normally. Of these two operative causes, the first should aug- 

 ment on both sides of the secondary magnetic equator, and for 

 considerable distances. It should be much greater on the side 

 of the descending than on that of the ascending node of this 

 equator, because the new magnetic currents originate on the 

 former side. The electric currents developed at any instant upon 

 the ascending-node side of the sun run in the opposite direc- 

 tion, and tend to weaken the prevailing currents. The residual 

 excess of the latter over the former at any point, and at any in- 

 stant, constitutes the new effective magnetic current at that point 

 and moment of time (/. c. p. 266) . Each of these two sets of cur- 

 rents may also play a certain part in conjunction with the mag- 

 netic currents that result from them. It will be seen, then, that 

 the results of observation which we have signalized (pp. 207- 

 208) are, in general, such as should ensue if the operative causes 

 here considered cooperate with some action of the planets to 

 develope the spots, each tending to enhance the effect of the 

 other. 



The tendency of the second operative cause, if it conspires 

 in this manner with the planetary action, should be to make 

 that action apparently the greatest when the planet is about in 

 long. 253° ; and therefore the region of the spots developed by 

 the planet (which lies near the ecliptic on the side of the sun 

 turned toward the planet) is nearest the central point of origi- 

 nation of the waves in question. On the other hand, the ten- 

 dency of the same general cause should be to make the effect 

 of the planet least at the diametrically opposite point (long. 73°). 



It may be seen that if the three causes here supposed to be 

 continually in operation — and to be cooperating more or less 

 according to the positions of the planets with respect to the 

 special points of maxima and minima alluded to, at the same 

 time that the individual planets are conspiring more or less with 

 each other according to their relative positions — should deter- 

 mine spots by their conjoint action ; their effects, in respect to 

 the connexion of the epochs of maxima and minima with certain 

 positions of the planets, and the lengths of the periods com- 

 prised between these epochs should correspond, in the main, 

 with the results of observation. 



From the point of view we have now reached we may gain an 

 Phil. Mag. S. 4. Vol. 32. No. 215. Sept. 1866. P 



