new Experiments in Ele&rkity , &c. 1 9 
then the powder required to be tried being held in a 
fpoon, or other thing, about fix inches above the plate, 
is to be let fall gradually upon it. In this manner the 
electricity acquired by the powder, being communicated 
to the metal plate and to the electrometer, is rendered 
manifeft by the divergence of the threads, and its quality 
may be afcertained in the ufual manner. See fig. 4. 
It mull be obferved, that if the powder is of a conduct- 
ing nature, like the amalgam of metals, fand, See. it mult 
be held in fome eleCtric fubftance, as a glafs phial, a plate; 
of fealing wax, or the like. The metal fpoon that holds 
the powder may alfo be infulated; in which cafe, after 
the experiment, the fpoon will be found poflefled of an 
electricity contrary to that of the powder. 
In performing thefe experiments care muft be had to 
render the powders, and whatever they are held in, as 
free from moifture as poflible, it being fometimes necef- 
fary to make them very warm, otherwife the experi- 
ments are apt to fail. 
The following are the particulars I have obferved 
with this new method, which, however, are neither nu- 
merous nor often repeated ; but they may fuffice to ex- 
cite the curiofity of thofe perfons who have leifure and 
the opportunity of repeating them more at large, and 
in a greater variety. 
D 2 
Powder 
