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MR DEUCHAR'S account 
XXIX. — An Account of Three large Load-^ 
stonesy one of which presented an unusual 
Line of Attraction, 
By John Deuohar, M. W. S. 
and Lecturer on Chemistry in Edinburgh, 
(Read 10th March 1821.) 
HEN we come to try the magnetic energy of large 
loadstones, or natural magnets, we seldom find them to 
display that force, in proportion to their size, which we 
should expect. This circumstance seems to have drawn to 
it the attention of philosophers at a very early period of 
the history of magnetism; and hence, from the various 
facts they had noticed, was formed the conclusion, that a 
small fragment broken from a loadstone, might possess as 
great power as the whole mass ; and that, in some cases, 
the power of the fragment was actually greater than the 
mass from which it was taken. With regard to the truth 
or falsehood of this hypothesis, or to the existence of the 
specimens upon the powers of which it is built, I do not at 
present mean to offer any remark. 
