510 Alternating and Experimental Influence-Machine. 



I now feel uncertain as to whether I should end my paper 

 at this stage, or whether I should extend it into the region of 

 opinion. If I remain silent I am sure the cause of the elec- 

 trical action will be dealt with by abler minds than my own. 

 On the other hand, I feel equally sure that many will wish 

 me to indicate a working hypothesis ; therefore, and by way 

 of suggestion, I will add what seems to me to be a reasonable 

 explanation. 



As to the initial charge, I think it may be accepted that all 

 bodies behave as though they possessed a film of electricity 

 over their surfaces, and that when two or more of these bodies 

 are brought together this normal electrical condition is upset, 

 for the electricity which was upon their near surfaces is re- 

 pelled to the outer or bounding surface — it is this excess 

 charge upon the bounding surface, minute it may be, which 

 constitutes the first charge. 



In respect to the electrical action which takes place in this 

 particular machine, I will endeavour by the help of the small 

 diagram to explain. 



Assuming that we have obtained an initial charge and that 

 it is brought to the inductor marked A, then, neglecting the 

 changes which take place between the two bounding surfaces, 



