6i8 
[October, 
The Vehicle of Force . 
of molecules are regularly combined under special conditions 
of attraction, and their motions are forced to harmonise 
with each other, every deviation from the general direction 
of motion, caused by the exigencies of the crystalline rela- 
tions, being balanced by an equal opposite deviation. 
But the directive influence of these crystalline factors of 
masses aCts upon and is reacted upon constantly by the 
immense directive vigour of the earth, which may exercise 
a leverage upon all molecules, forcing them to assume a 
general conformity in direction. Whatever change in posi- 
tion may take place in masses, their molecules do not 
necessarily change in accordance therewith. For molecules 
are not rigidly fixed elements of masses ; spaces separate 
them, in which they possess a certain degree of liberty to 
move and rotate. Thus they may readily yield to the 
leverage of terrestrial force, and shift their axial directions 
so as to retain one fixed relation with this force in every 
change of direction in the masses containing them. 
Yet, supposing molecules to be a combination of more 
minute atoms, it does not follow that these atoms would 
have an equal facility of movement. They must be more 
rigidly constrained, through their closer proximity to each 
other and their more vigorous attractive relations. Possibly 
different substances vary in the character of their relations 
to exterior force. In some the molecules of masses may be 
as rigidly constrained as we suppose the atoms of molecules 
to be. In such a case, if these molecules be made to con- 
form in direction through exterior influence, they would 
continue to do so with an energy affeCting the whole mass, 
and the phenomena of permanent magnetism occur. This 
magnetic condition may ordinarily exist in molecules even 
when not displayed in masses, the molecules assuming posi- 
tions in accordance with terrestrial magnetism, except when 
they are aCted upon by local magnetism. And there may 
be cases in which the axes of rotation of molecules assume 
directions, under exterior influence, not in harmony with 
the direction of their atom forces, thus yielding the dia- 
magnetic repulsion. 
If the internal conditions of bodies be such as we have 
here surmised, it seems as if the ordinary tendency of mole- 
cules must be to direCt their axes north and south at the 
Equator ; for we naturally conclude that the rotation of the 
mass of the earth around its axis must yield a directive 
energy forcibly tending to bring the motions of all its minor 
constituents into harmony therewith, the axis of motion of 
every molecule at the Equator becoming parallel to the 
