on the EleBrophorus. 1035 
which it may be taken by degrees, by touching thofe 
parts to which it was applied. There are fome bodies 
which feem to be of a middle itate between thefe two, 
viz. through which the eledtric fluid propagates as 
through good conductors, but flowly, fuch as common 
wood, moift air, and many other bodies. Eledtricity feems 
to diffufe itfelf through thefe bodies almoft as fugar and 
fait diffufe themfelves through water, fpreading farther 
and farther through the liquid. 
8. All thofe bodies, which are non-condudtors, feem 
to acquire a flate of eledtricity with fome reludtance; 
and, after they have acquired it, to hold it more tena- 
cioufly, or to part with it with more difficulty, than con- 
ductors. One touch takes away all the eledtricity of a 
metallic body, but does not abfolutely convey away all the 
eledtricity of a piece of glafs or another eledtric body, fuch 
as fealing wax, amber, 8ec. The metal plate of an elec- 
trophore takes, almoft no eledtricity at all from the refl- 
nous cake, if it be lifted up without having been touched 
when it was upon the cake. 
9. All refinous bodies, filk and many others, . retain 
more tenacioufly their flate of eledtricity than glafs, 
however dry. Thus a piece of glafs excited is almoft 
quite deprived of its eledtricity by a conducting fubftance 
6 N : a being 
