from the Report of the Committee , See. 807 
fharp point is prefented to it within the attracting, and 
without the exploding diftance, and then brought flowly 
on towards it. In this cafe no explofion follows; neither 
is there any reafon to expect it fhould, becaufe the quan- 
tity of eleCtricity is gradually diminifhed by the approach 
of the point, fo that when it comes within the ftriking 
diftance there is not enough left to make an explofion. 
It is equally eafy to explain what happens when a 
tranfverfe arm is hung fo as to ofcillate freely upon the 
prime conductor, and two equal cylinders of tin-foil are 
lufpended, one at each end of this arm in perfect equi- 
librio with each other. The apparatus being in this ftate, 
if the machine be worked, the two cylinders will remain 
ftationary, neither ofthemafeending or defeending. They 
will alfo remain ftationary, if a point be prefented to one, 
and a rounded end to the other. In the firft cafe they are 
electrified, but remain motionlefs, becaufe there is no con- 
ducting body within the fphere of their action. In the 
fecond, the refult is the fame ; becaufe, making in faCt 
part of the prime conductor, the point prefented to one 
of them prevents any accumulation of electricity. When 
the point is withdrawn, and the rounded end fuffered to 
remain, an accumulation takes place, becaufe there is 
nothing now to fteal it away; and the confequence is, 
that the cylinder defeends towards the rounded end, and 
explodes 
