1882.J 
Thoughts on Chemical Affinity. 
127 
is very evident ; and it is not at all surprising that substances 
inert to ordinary magnetic influence should display exterior 
magnetic energy, when their most interior energies are 
separated, accumulated at the molecular poles, and their 
forces directed outwardly. 
The character of the attractions and repulsions of elec- 
tricity is also closely accordant with that of magnetism. 
Electricities of the same name always repel, while those of 
opposite name always attract. But we might otherwise ex- 
press this by saying that electricity converts the molecule 
into an aCtive magnet, with its one pole always turned to 
the positive, its other pole to the negative extremity. Sup- 
pose, for illustration, that north magnetic polarity were 
always associated with positive, and south with negative 
electricity. Then the peculiarities of attraction and repul- 
sion perceived would necessarily arise. A mass affeCted 
with induced electricity would resemble a magnet, with its 
north pole turned to the positive, its south to the negative 
end. A mass with positive electric charge would form a 
collection of molecular magnets, each with its north pole 
directed outwardly, its south inwardly. The magnetic in- 
harmony thus produced would be the result of the elec- 
trical inharmony. Nor need this induced magnetism produce 
stronger relations with the magnetic needle than with other 
conductive matter. The mass with induced electricity dis- 
plays the true magnetic attributes, but only towards elec- 
trically disturbed substances. The normal magnetism of 
the needle has no electrifying influence, and conversely 
is not affeCted by the results of eleCtric influence. 
There is another feature of elective affinity which needs 
consideration — a certain arbitrariness which must arise from 
some special cause. And this arbitrary character of che- 
mical attraction may be due to the cause to which we 
formerly attributed the electrical excitement, namely, to the 
diversity in the vibratory pitch of molecules. It is exceed- 
ingly probable that these divergencies in pitch of vibration 
hinder the tendencies of molecules to combine, and that no 
stable combination can be produced unless these discords 
are overcome, and are modified into harmonies. Two mole- 
cules vibrating at closely accordant rates might readily 
conjoin. Two less accordant in their vibrations must 
oppose a certain resistance to conjunction. Two completely 
discordant might utterly refuse to join, they being unable to 
form a stable combination. 
That such variations in vibratory pitch must exist is un- 
questionable. And that two atoms or molecules vibrating 
