C 20 5 ] 
an eledtrical atmofphere ; and then the body is faid 
to be eledtrified. 
’Tis fuppofed, that all kinds of common matter do 
not attract and retain the eledtrical with equal force, 
for reafons to be given hereafter ; and that thofe 
called eledtrics per fe , as glafs, &c. attradt a$d retain 
it the ftrongeft, and contain the greateft quantity. 
We know, that the eledtrical fluid is in common 
matter, becaufe we can pump it out by the globe or 
tube ; and that common matter has near as much 
as it can contain ; becaufe, when we add a little 
more to any portion of it, the additional quantity 
does not enter, but forms an eledtrical atmofphere : 
and we know, that common matter has not (generally) 
more than it can contain ; otherwife all loofe portions 
of it would repel each other, as they conflantly do 
when they have eledtric atmofpheres. 
The form of the electrical atmofphere is that of the 
body, whichpt furrounds. This fhape may be render’d 
vifible in a ftill air, by railing a fmoke from dry 
refin dropp’d into a hot tea fpoon under the eledtrifed 
body, which will be attracted and fpread itfelf equally 
on all fides, covering and concealing the body. And 
this form it takes, becaufe it is attracted by all parts 
of the furface of the body, though it cannot enter 
the fubftance already replete. Without this attrac- 
tion it would not remain round the body, but be dif- 
fipated in the air. 
The atmofphere of eledtrical particles furrounding 
an eledtrified fphere is not more difpofed to leave it, 
or more eafily drawn off from any one part of the 
fphere than from another, becaufe it is equally at- 
tradted by every part. But that is not the cafe with 
bodies 
