1905-6.] Electric Oscillations and Magnetic Properties of Iron. 33 
Notes on the Effect of Electric Oscillations (co-directional 
and transverse) on the Magnetic Properties of Iron. 
By James Russell. 
(MS. received December 19, 1905. Read November 20, 1905.*) 
In the present communication I propose (1) to give some 
account of preliminary experiments in which the effects of co- 
directional and transverse oscillations upon the magnetic properties 
of iron are directly compared with each other and with the 
normal curves without oscillations. 
Numerous experiments have been made with co-directional 
oscillations alternately assisting and opposing the field ; also with 
oscillatory currents in iron wires longitudinally magnetised, giving 
rise to transverse oscillatory effects. 
I am not, however, aware that any experiments have previously 
been made in such a way that the effects of co-directional and 
transverse oscillations can be directly compared, without intro- 
ducing conditions so different as those which must obtain when 
oscillatory currents pass in the magnetic metal experimented 
with. 
I propose (2) to discuss the results thus obtained in the obvious 
bearing which they appear to have upon a few typical forms of 
magnetic detectors of electric waves. The supposition is made 
that the oscillations produced in the closed secondary of a small 
induction coil are not essentially different in their magnetic effects 
from the oscillations produced in wires by means of Hertz waves. 
Apparatus. 
One quality of sheet-iron with large hysteretic constant was 
used. The sheet was cut into two crosses of the same dimensions. 
An exploring coil wound diagonally round the central square of 
one of the crosses was in circuit with a ballistic galvanometer. 
The four arms of each cross, bent over at right angles to the 
* The discussion on magnetic detectors has been somewhat extended since 
date of communication. 
PROC. ROY. SOC. EDIN. — VOL. XXVI. 
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