416 



On Magnetic Polarity and Neutrality. [Mar. 6, 



results with thin slices of iron filings as we do with the solid iron in 

 .sheets or tubes. 



It would be difficult to explain these effects upon any hypothesis 

 except that of molecular rotation. For, if we regard it as simply a 

 case of magnetic induction, the stronger reacting upon the weaker, 

 we fail to explain the perfect spiral form of the opposing waves, and 

 above all, the reversal of the exterior, which was evidently the most 

 strongly polarised, but if we suppose that the similar polarities of all 

 the molecules have rotated, symmetrically pointing their north 

 polarities to the evident north end of the bar, we have only to 

 imagine a series of magnetic needles superposed with all their north 

 polarities pointing in one direction brought and held there by the 

 influence of a strong external magnet. If this influence was nearer 

 the first needle than the last, we should have a slight spiral due to its 

 diminishing effect, precisely as we notice in the curve in iron whilst 

 under external influence. Now withdraw the exterior force, the 

 needles would react against each other, and as they are free to move 

 in all directions, there would be an increased spiral, the outside being 

 reversed to its previous position, while the spiral would continue in 

 the interior, reversing the larger portion of the needles until they 

 all' found a position of equilibrium, which would then represent 

 neutrality. 



If we had no frictional resistance to molecular rotation, we should 

 obtain perfectly balanced curves in comparatively thin iron, but as 

 this resistance is great and demonstrated by the loosening influence 

 of mechanical vibrations, we require a certain depth of iron so that a 

 complete curve shall be easily obtained with comparatively infinitely 

 small motion of each molecule. 



That inherent magnetic polarity is a quality of all matter, solid, 

 liquid, gaseous, and the ether itself, varying only in degree and not 

 in nature, seems demonstrated by a series of researches I have been 

 making upon the mechanism employed in magnetic conduction 

 through the atmosphere and Crookes's vacuum. 



These researches are being made by means of the induction and 

 magnetic balance. They prove that the atmosphere, and presumably 

 the ether as well as all liquids and gases, have their saturation point 

 similar to iron, that the curve is the same as in perfect soft iron, and 

 that the highest magnetic capacity of iron does not exceed that of the 

 atmosphere by more than forty times, consequently we may fairly 

 assume that the ether may be regarded as an extremely magnetic 

 body, obeying the same laws as those of iron ; and as I regard the 

 symmetrical rotation of magnetic molecules as the cause of evident 

 magnetism in iron, and as the difference in force between iron, copper, 

 and ether is simply a differential one, I believe that the neutrality 

 which appears in all paramagnetic and diamagnetic bodies, wherever 



