OF THREE LARGE LOADSTONES. 391 
- j^ cuiipiis circumstance, which I found to be exhibited 
by the largest of these three loadstones, deserves particular 
notice. The full energy of the south pole was not dis- 
played at E (see Plate XII. fig. 6.), nor did it run along 
the line E F, as is usual ; but it was strongest at C, more 
than an inch from the proper situation of the south pole of 
the mass, and the force of the south attraction ran along 
the line CD. The north pole, however, was quite correct, 
being most powerful at H, and along the line HG. It 
may be proper here to notice, that these lines of attraction 
were ascertained by means of a small pocket-compass, 
about one inch in length, which was very delicate, and 
most sensibly affected by the slightest changes from the 
lines of attraction just mentioned. In case the peculiar 
situation of the loadstone might have any effect, the posi-. 
tion was changed in various trials, and the same resiilts al- 
ways accompanied the application of the small compass. 
The experiment was again repeated, to discover what effect 
an attached weight might have on the result, when it was 
invariably found, that weights of different sizes, such as 
20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 150, and even 205 pounds, had no 
influence in altering the line of south attraction along CD, 
Such, then, is the fact with regard to the south pole of this 
loadstone, and we are naturally led to trace some cause for 
so unusual an appearance. It may arise from one of three 
circumstances : 
1st, The part A, cut off by the line of south attraction 
CD, may be a mass of ironstone unmagnetic, which, of 
course, by its presence, may not much affect the full force 
of attraction at the artificial south pole. 
^dl^/. The part A, may be an ironstone-paste, added by 
art, for the purpose of completing the shape of the load- 
stone,— as is generally done, in smaller quantities, when 
