208 
After detailing many experiments connected with electrical 
and magnetic phenomena, Professor Faraday, in vol. I., 
Experimental Researches in Electricity, states, " Upon con- 
sidering the effects which have been described, it is almost 
impossible to resist the impression that similar effects, but 
infinitely greater in force, may be produced by the action of 
the globe as a magnet upon its own mass in consequence of 
its diurnal motion. " Thus we may look upon the earth, 
and in fact all the planets, as well as the sun, as a series of 
magnets, each of which influences the others according to its 
size, distance, and magnetic force. Professor Faraday also 
states a very interesting fact connected with magnets ; he says, 
<£ that a ray of light is caused to rotate by the action of mag- 
netism, and an effect still more singular is, that according to 
the line of magnetic force so the direction of rotation varies. 
" When the pole nearest the observer was a marked pole, 
i. e., the same as the north end of a magnetic needle, and the 
further was unmarked, the rotation of the ray was right 
handed, for the eyepiece had to be turned to the right hand, 
or clock fashion to overtake the ray, and restore the image to 
its first condition. When the poles were reversed, which was 
instantly done by changing the direction of the electric 
current, the rotation was changed also, and became left 
handed, the alteration being to an equal degree in extent as 
before, the direction was always the same for the same line 
of magnetic force.' , At page 24 of Experimental Researches, 
we find M. Arago's experiment described as follows : — " If a 
plate of copper be revolved close to a magnetic needle or 
magnet, suspended in such a way that the latter may rotate 
in a plane parallel to that of the former, the magnet tends to 
follow the motion of the plate ; or, if the magnet be made to 
rotate, the plate follows its motion, and the effect is so power- 
ful that magnets or plates of many pounds weight may be 
thus carried round. If the magnet and plate be at rest 
