Researches in the Theory and Calculus of Operations. . 277 



strip of copper, to overcome the tension of the strongest 

 non-conducting substance interposed between the approxi- 

 mated further extremities of the wires (Davy). 



17. The two methods of evolving electric force by fric- 

 tional and by chemical action may be compared as to their 

 differences thus : The two atoms and O' (fig. 17) being 

 in equilibrium by reason of the equal emanating counter- 

 acting pressures Oa and O'a, the frictional pressure of 

 against O' during the first instant destroys the emanation 

 of 0' in the direction O'O during that time, leaving unequi- 

 . librated during that same time the oppositely emanating 

 . force of 0' in the direction O'A'. At the expiration of this 

 instant, the rubber and the rubbed, the cushion and the 

 electric, remain separate as in 1; being both solid they do 

 not and cannot combine into one body, but are ready to repeat 

 action. On the other hand, when substances possessing 

 chemical affinity are one or both in a liquid state and 

 placed in proper communication, the atoms and O' 

 mutually annihilate and liberate force as in the preceding 

 case; but the atoms can now remain united in substance as 

 in 2, forming a neutral salt or other analogous compound. 



In all cases of the annihilation or liberation of force from 

 matter (equilibrated force), the atoms or molecules of the 

 substance acted upon are thrown into vibration, or oscilla- 

 tion either tensional and linear or spherical, or both. The 

 tensional vibration can be linearly directed and separated 

 into two electric forces positive and negative, constituting 

 in fact a split force, the halved portions of the single com- 

 bined force of the atoms which maintains their equilibrium. 

 The spherical vibrations constitute the calorific force, which 

 radiates in all directions, communicates its impulses freely 

 to the surrounding media, and all continue in mutual inter- 

 change of declining vibrations until reaching equilibrium 

 or the absolute zero of temperature. From the form of the 

 aotious, it is seen that any operation or manipulation which 



