8o8 Dr. musgrave’s Reafons for dijfenting 
explodes as foon as that accumulation arrives at a certain 
period. 
Thirdly, when an intermediate conductor is ufed, ter- 
minated at each end with a ball, and the middle of it 
refting in equilibrio upon a pivot, on which it has a free 
ofcillation upwards and downwards; if in this ftate a 
point is placed under the end moft diftant from the prime 
conductor, the machine being then worked, the other 
end will approach fo near the prime conductor, as that 
the ftream of electricity will flow freely into it, as faft as 
it is produced by the aCtion of the wheel. In this cafe 
there will be no explofion; and the reafon is obvious, 
becaufe the fecond conductor, when it approaches fo 
near the firft as to form an uninterrupted channel for 
the eleCtric ftream, becomes virtually a part of the firft. 
Hence the point operates upon both together, juft as it 
does when prefented direCtly to the prime conductor, 
that is, it fteals away the electricity by little and little, 
leaving not enough to give an explofion. When inftead 
of the point a polifhed ball is placed under the fame end 
as before, this being lefs difpofed to receive the eleCtric 
fluid, conveys away none of it ; fo that accumulating to 
a certain degree upon the prime conductor, it explodes 
upon the contiguous end of the fecond, which, having a 
free ofcillation, flies up with the ftrolce, and carries the 
, oppofite 
