M. E. Edluud on the Nature of Electricity , 99 



For the case in which parallel currents go with unequal velo- 

 cities in opposite directions, in an analogous fashion the same 

 result is obtained, but with the minus sign. 



By means of the above considerations it is easy to deduce 

 Ampere^s general formula for the reciprocal action of two cur- 

 rent-elements the positions of which are indeterminate. Now 

 the empiric formulae given by Ampere comprise the laws of all 

 electrodynamic phenomena. We have therefore shown that these 

 as well as electrostatic phenomena can be explained by the ad- 

 mission of a single fluid. Our demonstration rests upon two 

 fundamental principles, viz. : — 1, the principle of Archimedes, 

 the applicability of which to phenomena of this kind appears 

 theoretically incontestable, and has besides been proved by 

 Pliicker^s experiments, cited at the commencement of this me- 

 moir; 2, the important proposition, which appears to us axio- 

 matic, that every thing which takes place or is effected in external 

 nature requires a certain time. Moreover we have had no need 

 to attribute to the electric fluid any properties contrary to those 

 which belong to the luminiferous sether. 



Light, heat, and electricity thus become phenomena which 

 take place in the same material ; and by this these three prin- 

 cipal groups of natural phenomena are brought into the closest 

 relation with one another. 



In descriptions of some phenomena connected with electricity 

 we sometimes meet with the remark that they cannot be ex- 

 plained by means of a single electric fluid. Thus, for example, 

 it has been maintained that the simultaneity of the sparks at the 

 two extremities, in the well-known experiments of Wheatstone 

 on the velocity of propagation of electricity, is a proof against 

 the correctness of the admission of one fluid only. It appears 

 to have been imagined that if we admit the existence of one elec- 

 tric material only, we must also admit that the same quantity of 

 electricity forms the two sparks, so that the spark which is pro- 

 duced nearest to the negative armature of the battery cannot be 

 produced until the electricity has had time to traverse both 

 the conducting wires. We cannot subscribe to this view. The 

 sether presents less density on the negative armature of the bat- 

 tery than on the conducting wire in contact with it. On the 

 other hand, upon the positive armature the density of the aether 

 is greater than on the wire which starts from this armature. At 

 the time of the discharge of the battery a quantity of aether 

 passes from the positive armature to the conducting wire in con- 

 tact with it ; but simultaneously another quantity of aether passes 

 to the negative aruiature from the wire in contact with this latter. 

 Consequently the two sparks appear simultaneously. 



In like manner the difference between Lichlenberg's figures 



H2 



