South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-12-10
Communication.
For the Intelligencer.

" tHo tuhoHIS onNoAs
Mr.. HARPER. The following int.
resting phenomenon which | find in the
Richmond Wing taken from the Boston
Herald, may be found ultimately to
have an important bearing on the state
of the gases investing this globe.
lT The article in relation to the sfin-F
teresting phenomenon" referred to a.
bove, we published In our last number
I've therefore omit it. 1t can be found
In the fourth column, second page.-Ep.
Ixr.]
The chemists have taught US that
there are three separate and distinct
species Of gaseous matter -atmosphe-
rio air, the magnetic and electric fluids
as they have been called. In order to
arrive at any thing conclusive as 10 the
phenomenon above stated--the first
question would be, was the needlS d
good one "a needle but very slightly
magnetised will show polarity.)
Notwithstanding the needle might
have been very perfectly and very fully
magnetised, its passage through differ
en-, regions of the atmosphere various.
" charged with disengaged electricity,
clouds and vapor, its magnetic sphere
may have been so weakened, or De-
ranged in its parallelism, as to have
lost Its power Of directing the needle
north and south. However, the single
fact, that the needle lost it, polarity at
the distance of FIVE miles from the
earth, Is very far from being satisfac-
tory. At what distance from the earth
did the needle begin to show derange.
msn. in its magnetic sphere Was it
instantaneous, or gradual Was il
when enveloped In clouds or otherwisef
And at what distance frsm the earth
did it reassume its polarlty--.or did it
reassume it at alb And was 1t in
stantly, or gradually, that il arranged
itself north and south in the descent
of the Balloon Was it more dispos-
cd to settle east and west, than north
and south, at any distance from the
earth : fits magnetic sphere had been
dissipated, il would have been much
more enlighteRing to have touched It
with good natural magnet, at differ
ent distances frsm the earth, noting
the condition Of the atmosphere below
at the time, and the appearances ofthe
atmospheric strata above.
There can be no doubt that expert
men,s may be made which will leadto
facts highly interesting 10 the philoso-
pher, and, 10 the development oftruths
new dormant or unknown in this wide
field of elastic materials. Suppose the
aerial traveller to be prepared with
msenstised and unmagnetised needles,
and two or three good natural, and as
many good artificial magnets I; and
when he finds his magnetised needles
wavering, touch them with strong
magnet and at the same time try to
magnetise the seedlss not magnetic
and particularly at his greatest eleva-
ton, give (ifi, can be given) polari-
ty TO one Of them at least. Such
ain ascension, with view to such sx-
periments, will deserve the public pat
ronnge, and the especial attention of
the philosopher. One experiment. more
will be equally important--plaee a
imagine. on the glass covering a needle
In compass, SO as to compel the
needle to pein. east and west, and note
the results in different regions Of the
air through which il passes, az we'll
when ascending, as descending.
II Friend to Sciences.