488

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES,

{TWENTY-SIXTH MEMOIR.)

magnetic properties, and others displaying a new magnetic action of which, previ-ously to combination, they appeared to be destitute. Under these circumstances, itwould be difficult to ascertain the line of demarcation between those bodies that arenaturally and separately magnetic and those that are not. Probably the safest waywould be to allow all bodies to possess more or less of the magnetic character ; and toclassify them into those that are palpably magnetic, like iron and nickel, and those thatare but obscurely magnetic, or whose Magnetism is not detectable in their individualinsolated states, but which become magnetic by combination.

66. Provisionally, therefore, we might venture to call the former class Sapha*magnetics, and the latter class Asapharf magnetics.

67. Sap ha-magnetics might be conveniently sub-divided into Mono% magnetics andSuno§ magnetics, accordingly as they consist of individual or of compound bodies.Then, as we have many bodies which counteract the highest magnetic powers ofsimple bodies, these might be called Kata\\ magnetics, because many of them, if notall, have the power of completely neutralizing the magnetic actions of other bodies.

68. The Mono-magnetics at present known are but few in number—iron being thegrand type. Next to iron is nickel. Cobalt is also a mono-magnetic body, and atpresent completes the list of this class of magnetics.

69. In the Suno-magnetic class I place alloys of copper and silver, copper and gold,and copper and zinc ; and, although these three are the only ones with which we areyet acquainted, I have no doubt that many more alloys will soon find a place amongsuno-magnetics.

70. The Kata-magnetics are very numerous, as this class includes all bodies which,by combination, impair the Magnetism of other bodies. Amongst the metallic Kata-magnetics zinc is the most powerful hitherto ascertained. Next to zinc is antimony,then lead and tin. Arsenic, probably, stands very high in this class ; but I have hadno opportunity of ascertaining its proper place. The non-metallic Kata-magneticsare sulphur, oxygen, cyanogen, chlorine, carbon, and the generality of those bodieswhich combine with metals.

71. In proposing this classification of magnetics, I have aimed at nothing furtherthan an abstract of that which absolutely takes place in nature. The whole restsupon facts, most of which have their analogies in Electricity. Therefore, this classi-fication may be considered as supplying a small portion of an extensive nomenclaturethat has long been wanting in this region of science.

Manchester, 1836. W. S.

* Clearly, manifestly.

f A (TCtQxfig Indistinctly, without clear evidence or marks.

+ Movog Alone, single.

§ Together, or ^MOUpW To co-operate.

|| K CCTOL Opposite to, to make disappear.