[March, 
126 Thoughts on Chemical Affinity . 
energy, would tend to combine. Of course, in the great 
variety of modes in which magnets might possibly combine, 
there might be considerable differences in attractive vigour, 
the magnetic energy of some being employed inwardly, and 
that of others largely directed outwardly. There might also 
be great differences in responsiveness to induction, through 
the different degrees of centripetal magnetic energy. But 
aside from the phenomena of chemical inertness or activity 
arising from these causes, there are peculiarities of affinity 
which need some other explanation. 
Elective affinity has some close connection with the elec- 
trical behaviour of the elements. As a rule, the most 
vigorous affinities exist between elements farthest apart in 
the electrical series, while compounds of these elements 
display affinities which diminish in vigour as they approach 
the neutral region between the electrical extremes. It re- 
mains true, however, that there are many instances of special 
affinity which have no definite relation to electrical be- 
haviour. 
In static eleCtric attraction and repulsion, it is very pos- 
sible that the eleCtric condition affeCts the magnetism of 
molecules. That eleCtric excitement is an affection of mole- 
cules is undoubted, and that it produces heterogeneous 
conditions in each molecule, yielding the phenomena of elec- 
tric polarity, is equally evident. If, then, the two halves, or 
the opposite extremities, of the molecule are put into diverse 
states of energy by the inductive aCtion of electricity, it is 
very possible that their magnetic condition may be affeCted 
by the same cause. The eleCtric excitement seems to weaken 
the chemical cohesion of the constituents of molecules, and 
to cause them to exert a more vigorous outward attraction. 
But if this chemical cohesion be an effect of magnetic energy, 
then we might say that the centripetal magnetic energy of a 
molecule is decreased by electrical excitement, and its centri- 
fugal magnetic energy increased. The electrical induction 
is an effect of exterior forces, and these may also produce a 
magnetic induction, weakening the astatic self-satisfaCtion of 
molecules, and causing them to seek exterior satisfaction of 
their energies. 
Certainly it is far more likely that the attractions and 
repulsions of eleCtrised bodies spring from the magnetism 
which we know to exist in these bodies than that they arise 
from some unknown attractive condition of matter. That 
the intimate aCtion of electricity upon molecules might 
produce effects upon their magnetism, far superior to any- 
thing which human experiments with magnets can perform, 
