12 DR. FARADAY’S EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCHES IN ELECTRICITY. (SERIES XXII.) 
2502. It seemed possible and probable that magnetic force might affect the cry- 
stallization of bismuth, if not of other bodies. For, as the force affects the mass of 
a crystal by that power which its particles possess, and which they give to the crystal 
as a whole by their polar (or axial (2472.)) and symmetric condition ; and, as the 
final position of the crystalline mass in the magnetic field may be considered as that 
of the least constraint, so it was likely enough that, if the bismuth in a fluid state 
were placed under the influence of the magnetism, the individual particles would 
tend to assume one and the same axial condition, and the crystalline arrangement 
and direction of the mass upon its solidification, be in some degree determined and 
under government. 
2503. Some bismuth, therefore, was fuzed in a glass tube and held in a fixed posi- 
tion in the strong magnetic field until it had become solid ; then, being removed from 
the glass, it was suspended so that it might assume the same position under the in- 
fluence of the magnet ; but no signs of magnecrystallic force were evident. It was 
not expected that the whole would become regularly crystallized, but that a difference 
between one direction and another might appear. Nothing of the kind however 
occurred, whatever the direction in which the piece was suspended ; and when it 
was broken open, the crystallization within was found to be small, confused, and in 
all directions. Perhaps if longer time were allowed, and a permanent magnet used, 
a better result might be obtained. I had built many hopes upon the process, in re- 
ference to the crystalline condition of gold, silver, platina, and the metals generally, 
and also in respect of other bodies. 
2504. I cannot find that crystals of bismuth acquire any power, either tempo- 
rary or permanent, which they can bring away from the magnetic field. I held 
crystals in different positions in the field of intense action of a powerful electro- 
magnet, having conical terminations very near to each other ; and, after some time, 
removed them and applied them instantly to a very delicate astatic magnetic needle ; 
but I could not perceive that they had the least extra effect upon it, because of such 
treatment. 
2505. As a crystal of bismuth is subject to, and obeys the influence of, the lines of 
magnetic force (24/9.), so it follows that it ought to obey even the earth’s action, and 
point, though with a very feeble degree of power. I have suspended a good crystal 
by a single long filament of cocoon silk, and sheltered it as well as 1 could from 
currents of air by concentric glass tubes, and I think have observed indications of a 
set or pointing. The crystal was so hung that the magnecrystallic axis made the 
same angle with the horizontal plane (about 70 °) as the magnetic dip, and the indi- 
cation was, that the axis and the dip tended to coincide : but the experiments require 
careful repetition. 
2506. A more important point, as to the nature of the polar or axial forces of bis- 
