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

454 APPENDIX.radiation and contact with the air, the cooling influence of which, accordingto Davy, promotes galvano-clectric conduction, a metallic ribbon doesnot convey a galvanic discharge better than a ^Yire of similar weight andlength,*GO. Agreeably to the considerations above stated, the sectional area ofa conductor remaining (he same, in proportion as any statical accumulationwhich it may discharge is greater, the effects arc less superficial ; andthe cthereo-pondcrable atoms arc effected more analogously to those exposedto galvanic discharges. It is in this way that the discharge of a Leydenjar imparts magnetic polarization. Thus, on the one hand, the electroetherealmatter being polarized and greatly condensed, combines with andcommunicates polarization, and consequently magnetism, to ethereo-ponderablebodies ; while, on the other hand, these, when polarized by galvanicreaction, and thus rendered magnetic, communicate polarity to the electroether.Hence, statical electricity, when produced by galvanism, and magnetism,when produced by statical electricity, are secondary effects.67. Where a wire is of such dimensions, in proportion to the charge,as to be heated, ignited, or dispersed by statical electricity, there seems tobe a transitory concentration of the electric power, which transforms thenature of the reaction, and an internal wave of electro-ponderable polarization,similar to those of galvano-electricity, is the consccjuence.68. As above observed, (31,) the current produced by the magnetoelectricmachine has all the attributes of the galvano-electric current; yetthis is altogether a secondary effect of the changes of polarity in a keeper,acting upon a wire solely by dynamic induction. But if, by mere externalinfluence, the machine above mentioned can produce within a circuit acurrent such as above described, is it unreasonable to suppose that thecommon machine, when it acts upon a circuit, may put into activity thematter existing therein, so as to produce waves of polarization, having thepower of those usually ascribed to a galvano-electrical current ?69. It has been shown that both reason and the researches and sujjfjestionsof Farraday warrant the inference that ponderable atoms, in solidsand liquids, may be considered as swimming in an enormous quantity ofcondensed imponderable matter, in which all the particles, whether ponderableor imponderable, are, in their natural state, held in a certain relativeposition due to the reciprocal attraction of their dissimilar poles. Agalvano-electrified body differs from one in its ordinary state, in having therelative position of the poles of its ethereo-ponderable atoms so changed,that their inherent opposite polarities not being productive of reciprocalneutralization, a reaction with external bodies ensues.70. In statical excitement the affection is superficial as respects theponderable bodies concerned, while in dynamic excitement the polaritiesof the whole mass are deranged oppositely at opposite ends of the electrifiedmass; so that the oppositely disturbing impulses, proceeding from• It is well known that WoUaston cffectetl the decomposition of water by the aid of apowerful electrical machine. Having enclosed platina wires within gla^s tubes, thesewere fused so as to cover the ends. The glass was afterward so far removed, by grinding,as to expose minute metallic points to the liquid. Under these circumstances, tlie electricityconveyed by the wires, being prevented from proceeding over them superficially,was obliged to make its way through the ethereo-ponderable matter of which metals consist.Instead of proving the identity of galvanism with frictional electricity, this experimentshows that in one characteristic, at least, there is a diseordanc)'. At the same timeit may indicate that ethereal may give rise to cthcreo-pondera.ble midulatioas.