effect) the formation of currents (1562). My investigation, therefore, was
carried on with balls and terminations of different diameters, and the
following are some of the principal results.

1482. If two balls of very different dimensions, as for instance one-half
an inch, and the other three inches in diameter, be arranged at the ends of
rods so that either can be electrified by a machine and made to discharge
by sparks to the other, which is at the same time uninsulated; then, as is
well known, far longer sparks are obtained when the small ball is positive
and the large ball negative, than when the small ball is negative and the
large ball positive. In the former case, the sparks are 10 or 12 inches in
length; in the latter, an inch or an inch and a half only.

* * * * *

1483. But previous to the description of further experiments, I will
mention two words, for which with many others I am indebted to a friend,
and which I think it would be expedient to introduce and use. It is
important in ordinary inductive action, to distinguish at which charged
surface the induction originates and is sustained: i.e. if two or more
metallic balls, or other masses of matter, are in inductive relation, to
express which are charged originally, and which are brought by them into
the opposite electrical condition. I propose to call those bodies which are
originally charged, _inductric_ bodies; and those which assume the opposite
state, in consequence of the induction, _inducteous_ bodies. This
distinction is not needful because there is any difference between the sums
of the _inductric_ and the _inducteous_ forces; but principally because,
when a ball A is inductric, it not merely brings a ball B, which is
opposite to it, into an inducteous state, but also many other surrounding
conductors, though some of them may be a considerable distance off, and the
consequence is, that the balls do not bear the same precise relation to
each other when, first one, and then the other, is made the inductric ball;
though, in each case, the _same ball_ be made to assume the _same state._

1484, Another liberty which I may also occasionally take in language I will
explain and limit. It is that of calling a particular spark or brush,
_positive_ or _negative_, according as it may be considered as
_originating_ at a positive or a negative surface. We speak of the brush as
positive or negative when it shoots out from surfac