392 
Mil DEUCHAll'S ACCOUNT 
slight irregularities occur in shaping the natural stone. 
The presence of this paste may not weaken the magnetic 
force of B obtained at the connecting poles. Or, 
3dl^, A, may be a distinct loadstone, of a smaller size, 
and probably a very weak one, in comparison with B, but 
still possessing the full characters of a complete magnet ; 
in which case, it must have a tendency so far to weaken 
the power of B. From its magnetic energy being less, A 
cannot change the poles of B, nor alter the line of its at- 
traction, but it may probably weaken them :■ — on the other 
hand, B, possessing the stronger power, will alter the poles 
of A, so as to correspond with its own ; that is to say, the 
part of A immediately in contact with C, will be converted 
into a north pole, and the part at E will be converted into 
a south pole. From this, it follows, that when the different 
weights noticed are attracted by the artificial poles IK, 
they are not sustained there solely by the energy of B ; 
but by the strong north pole of B, and the weak south 
pole of A, to which last may very likely be added a minute 
portion of south attraction conveyed through A from C to 
E ; but this quantity must be very small, from the com- 
bined effects of the attraction at C, and the repulsion at E, 
for south magnetism. Thus, the artificial pole I will not 
keep up a corresponding strength with K ; and this appears 
verified by experiment, for the small compass was found 
not to be attracted so powerfully by one-half at E as at H, 
or at I as at K, nor at G as at H, for the whole south 
situations seemed to be weakened in their power. From 
the external appearance also of the loadstone, on both sides 
of the line of extreme south attraction CD, this third seems 
the more probable nature of A. If we allow this to be the 
case, then, by removing A, we must greatly add to the 
quantity of magnetic effect displayed at the two poles; 
