30 DR. FARADAY’S EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCHES IN ELECTRICITY. (SERIES XXII.) 
the earth’s action, either with crystals of bismuth or of sulphate of iron. Perhaps at 
the equator, where the lines of force are horizontal, they might be rendered sensible. 
2582. In the third place, assuming that there is an original force in the crystals 
and their molecules, it might be expected that they would show some direct influence 
upon each other, independent of the magnetic force, and if so the best possible argu- 
ment would be thus obtained that the force which is rendered manifest in the mag- 
netic field was inherent in them. But on placing a large crystal with its magnecry- 
stallic axis horizontal under a smaller and suspended one, or side by side with it, I 
could procure no signs of mutual action; even when the approximated parts of the 
crystals were ground or dissolved away, so as to let the two masses come as near as 
possible to each other, having large surfaces at the smallest possible distance. Ex- 
treme care is required in such experiments (2581.), or else many results are produced 
which seem to show a mutual affection of the bodies. 
2583. Neither could I find any trace of mutual action between crystals of bismuth, 
or of sulphate of iron, when they were both in the magnetic field, the one being freely 
suspended and the other brought in various positions near to it. 
2584. From the absence therefore or extreme weakness of any power in the crystals 
to affect each other, and also from the action of heat which can take away the power 
of the crystal before it has lost its mere crystalline condition (2570.), I am induced 
to believe that the force manifested in the crystal when in the magnetic field, which 
appears by external actions, and causes the motion of the mass, is chiefly and almost 
entirely induced, in a manner, subject indeed to the crystalline force, and finally ad- 
ditive to it ; but at the same time exalting the force and the effects to a degree which 
they could not have approached without the induction. 
2585. In that case the word magnetocrystallic ought probably to be applied to 
this force, as it is generated or developed under the influence of the magnet. The 
word magnecrystallic I used purposely to indicate that whieh I believed belonged to 
the crystal itself, and I shall still speak of the magnecrystallic axis, &c. in that 
sense. 
2586. This force appears to me to be very strange and striking in its character. 
It is not polar, for there is no attraction or repulsion. Then what is the nature of the 
mechanieal force which turns the crystal round (2460.), or makes it affect a magnet 
(2564.) ? It is not like a turning* helix of wire acted on by the lines of magnetic force ; 
for there, there is a current of electricity required, and the ring has polarity all the 
time and is powerfully attracted or repelled*. 
2587- If we suppose for a moment that the axial position is that in which the 
crystal is unaffected, and that it is in the oblique position that the magneerystallic 
axial direction is affected and rendered polar, giving two tensions pulling the 
crystal round, then there ought to be attractions at these times, and an obliquely 
* Perhaps these points may find their exphcation hereafter in the action of contiguous particles (ItifiS. 1710. 
1729. 1735. 2443.). 
