[ 300 ] 
LI, EleStrical Experiments, made in pur- 
fuance of thofe by Mr. Canton, dated 
Decern. 3, 1753; with Explanations by 
Mr . Benjamin Franklin, Communicated 
Mr, Peter Collinfon, F, R, S. 
Philadelphia, March 14, 1755. 
Principles. 
Read Dec. i g, j, Ledric atmofpheres,that flow round 
J non -electric bodies, being brought 
near each other, do not readily mix and unite into 
one atmofphere, but remain feparate, and repel each 
other. 
This is plainly feen in fufpended cork balls, and 
other bodies eledtrified. 
II. An eledtric atmofphere not only repels another 
cled:ric atmofphere, but will alfo repel the eledlric 
matter contained in the fubfiance of a body ap- 
proaching it ; and without joining or mixing with it 
force it to other parts of the body, that contained.it.* 
This is fliewn by fome of the following experi- 
ments. 
III. Bodies eledlrified negatively, or deprived of 
their natural quantity of eledtricity, repel each other, 
(or at leafl; appear to do fo, by a mutual receding) as 
as well as thofe eledtrified pofitively, or which have 
eledlric atmofpheres. 
This is fliewn by applying the negatively charged 
wire of a phial to two cork balls, fufpended by filk 
threads, and by many other experiments. 
Prepa^ 
