37 



X and A' are equal, and remarks that this is no other than the deter- 

 mination of ^ in a spheroid of revolution having its axes equal to 



k and k 2-9414 =kX 1-7150. 



In the other extreme case, when t-^ is infinitely great, g is zero. 



From this investigation the conclasion is arrived at, that for every 

 given value of there is only one value of p, and only one ellip- 

 soid ; and that to every such ellipsoid there is an appropriate value 

 of g : and, further, that for every possible value of g there will be 

 only one value of and consequently only one ellipsoid susceptible 

 of an equilibrium. 



Also the reading of a paper, entitled, " Experimental Researches 

 in Electricity." Eleventh series. By M. Faraday, Esq., D.C.L., 

 F.R.S., Fullerian Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution, 

 was commenced. 



December 21, 1837. 



FRANCIS BAILY, Esq., Vice-President and Treasurer, 

 in the Chair. 



The reading of Mr. Faraday's eleventh series of Experimental Re- 

 searches in Electricity was resumed, but not concluded. 



The Society then adjourned over the Christmas vacation to meet 

 again on the 11th of January next. 



January 11, 1838. 



JOHN GEORGE CHILDREN, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair. 



The ballot for Bryan Donkin, Esq., was postponed in consequence 

 of the number of Fellows required by the Statutes not being present. 



The reading of a paper, entitled " Experimental Researches in 

 Electricity," Eleventh Series, by Michael Faraday, Esq., D.C.L., 

 F.R.S., Fullerian Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution, 

 &c., was resumed and concluded. 



The object of this paper is to establish two general principles re- 

 lating to the theory of electricity, which appear to be of great im- 

 portance ; first, that induction is in all cases the result of the actions 

 of contiguous particles ; and secondly, that diflFerent insulators have 

 different inductive capacities. 



The class of phsenomena usually arranged under the head of in- 

 duction are reducible to a general fact, the existence of which we may 

 recognise in all electrical phsenomena whatsoever ; and they involve 

 the operation of a principle having all the characters of a first, essen- 

 tial and fundamental law. The discovery which he had already made 

 of the law by which electrolytes refuse to yield their elements to a 

 current when in the solid state, though they give them forth freely 

 when liquid, suggested to the author the extension of analogous ex- 

 planations with regard to inductive action, and the possible reduction 



