308 



M. Wilfrid de Fonvielle. 



[Apr. 15, 



If we take two spirals made of a similar iron ribbon, but curved in 

 an opposite direction, viz., the one to the left and the other to the right, 

 the velocity and direction of rotation are precisely the same under 

 similar circumstances. This proves the action to be really molecular. 



This remarkable experiment may be made in a very striking form. 

 If we place a left-handed spiral to the left of the frame, and a right- 

 handed one to the right, or vice versa, at a distance sufficiently small 

 from the frame, the influence is felt, and the rotation of the two sjDirals 

 is obtained. But they rotate in the same direction. If the axis of the 

 spirals be placed so near to the frame that a part of the solid is im- 

 mersed in it, the rotation may be very rapid indeed. It seems 

 impossible to witness that experiment without coming to the con- 

 clusion that it is not unreasonable to believe that a motive power 

 comparable with that of other magneto-electrical machines may be 

 obtained by taking advantage of these properties of the induction 

 current. 



This conviction receives some support from the following curious 

 experiment. 



If a spiral be placed on the top of the machine, after the removal 

 of the horseshoe-magnet, it rotates under the influence of the two bar- 

 magnets placed underneath. The direction of rotation is in reverse 

 direction to the gyration of a moveable placed in the interior of the 

 frame, but in the same as the moveable whose axis is placed outside. 



A very pretty experiment can be made by placing a number of 

 moveables in these various positions, and to see them changing their 

 direction under the influence of active magnets, when the direction of 

 primary current of the coil is altered. 



Experiments have been tried to ascertain whether induced currents, 

 or even interrupted currents, can work the machine. The results 

 appear to have been affirmative, at least for the inducing current, 

 although the phenomena are less easy to produce. It has been acknow- 

 ledged also that the velocity is increased by placing the condenser in 

 communication with the coil, and that the number of vibrations exerts 

 also a great influence. 



It is easy to show that a magnetised steel star will not move if it is 

 magnetised up to saturation, and if incompletely magnetised it works 

 like an ordinary star, but with a reduced velocity. 



A magnetic bar placed perpendicularly to the frame and within it 

 prevents the rotation of the moveable piece. But if an iron bar is placed 

 in the same position, it seems to accelerate it ; at all events, the motion 

 seems to be a reversible one. Here the direction of the primary current 

 is reversed and ceases almost to rotate or it stops entirely. 



All these varied experiments appear to be in conformity with the 

 theory already developed, but all these points, as well as many others, 

 require more mature consideration. 



