ON THE POLARITY OF THE DIAMAGNETIC FORCE. 
251 
When we consider the feebleness of the action with so delicate a means of examina- 
tion, the failure of M. v. Feilitzsch to obtain the effect, with an instrument con- 
structed by himself, will not excite surprise. 
Thus in the case of seven insulating bodies the existence of diamagnetic polarity 
has been proved ; the list might be augmented without difficulty, but sufficient, I 
trust, has been done to remove the scruples of those who saw in M. Weber’s results 
an action produced by induced currents. 
A portion of the subject hitherto untouched, but one of great interest, has reference 
to the polar condition of liquid bodies while under magnetic influence. The first 
liquid examined was distilled water ; it was enclosed in thin glass tubes, corked at 
the ends, and by means of a loop passing round the cork the tubes were attached to 
the string passing round the wheels WW'. Previous to using, the corks were care- 
fully cleansed, so that any impurity contracted in cutting, or by contact with ferru- 
ginous matters, was completely removed. The following are the results obtained 
with this liquid : — 
XVI. 
Cylinders of Distilled Water. 
length 4 inches, 
diameter 0'65. 
Current direct. 
Current reversed. 
Position 1. 
605 
246 
Position 2. 
603 
248 
Position 3. 
601 
250 
The experiment was many times repeated, but always with the same result ; indeed 
the polarity of the liquid mass is as safely established as that of iron. Pure water is 
diamagnetic, and the deflections produced by it are the same as those of all the 
other diamagnetic bodies submitted to examination. 
From the position which it occupies in Mr. Faraday’s list*, I had also some hopes 
of proving the polarity of sulphide of carbon. The following results were obtained : — 
XVII. 
Cylinders of Bisulphide of Carbon. 
length 4 inches, 
diameter 0‘65. 
Current direct. 
Position 1. 631 
Position 2. 629 
Position 3. 626 
Current reversed. 
210 
213 
216 
* Proceedings of the Royal Institution, 1853, p. 5. 
