Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

388 OF MATTER, MIND, AND SPIRIT.that portion of the charge wliich was forced into an association with theponderable matter, had an}'' effect on the galvanonietric needle.1888. According to Gaziot's experiments, a Grove's battery of 320pairs woukl not give a spark before contact at any distance, althoughfrictional machines, proportionally powerful, have given sparks at twentyinches.1889. Thus the laws of conduction and insulation, as respects the twokinds of electricity in question, are different;the waves of polarization arein the case of the galvanic circuit confined to absolute contact with conductingponderable matter.It cannot pass through the electrical mediumor the air by the diruptive process. When once a passage has been madefor it, it may pass convectively, carrying with it the polarizable matter, asmay be seen in the arch formed between the poles of a powerful voltaicseries after contact.1890. This arch cannot be formed between two metallic points, becausenone but those of a most fixed and infusible nature can support the heatproduced. It is only between charcoal points that it ^an be created, becauseno other competent conductor is infusible at the temperature of its volatilization.It is in fact only by the process in question, that charcoal can bevolatilized per se.It may be inferred that as those waves of electro-polaritywhich require the presence of ponderable as well as ethereal matter cannotpass over an interval without the assistance of ponderable matter suchas is supplied by the coal. Ou contact with each other, the points completingthe circuit are subjected to an intensity of the polarizing powerwhich causes the carbon of the points, in the state of vapour, to becomeassociated with the ethereal waves, and thus produces the flaming arch,which distinguishes the scene of reciprocal neutralization.0/ Mind, as existing independently, and as distinguished from flatter.1891. Three ideas must coexist in every rational being; nihility, mind,and matter. We can, of course, conceive of a perfectly void space, andlikewise of a mathematical point, which designates a position not an entity.Yet, position cannot be determined without surrounding entities,between which this point exists, without having claim to any portion ofthose entities, whether there be only one actual material surface, or whereseveral are cornered together.Of such points we have already treated, asforming at the immovable centre of a rotating mass, so that a centre is,of course, one state of the existence of such a point.1892. After the considerations already presented, it will be seen thatthere is great difl&culty in conceiving of the existence of an atom of matterendowed with polarity, and of course with two centres of two analogous,but opposite and irreconcilable forces. And we must consider that thereare more than fifty such heterogeneous elementary atoms, all endowed withvarious degrees of affinity, so as that two may unite energetically to the ex-