ncreased force, lift, elevate the atmosphere? How, then, are
we to explain the increased range of the oscillations, as the center of
atmospheric machinery is reached, where magnetism has least intensity, and
the perpendicular currents are less, and attraction is less? Attraction is
greatest where intensity is greatest, and there the barometer stands
highest, and the diurnal range is least. Is it then the attraction of
magnetism which produces the barometric oscillations? If so, how then can
we explain the diurnal fall while magnetism is most active?

Perhaps we have not yet arrived at such a knowledge of the nature of
magnetism as is necessary to a correct answer of those questions. Faraday
has taught us that the lines of magnetic force are close curves, passing
into the atmosphere, and over to the opposite hemisphere, and returning
through the earth, out on the opposite side in like manner, and back
again, passing twice through the earth and twice through the atmosphere.
All we know of this is what the iron filings indicate, and we do not know
how much reliance to place upon the indications they give. But if Faraday
is right, the sun will, twice each day, intersect and stimulate into
increased activity the same closed magnetic curve--once when it is coming
out of the earth, during our day, when its influence will be the most
active, and once when it is returning on the opposite side of the earth;
and a second, but feebler magnetic and electric maximum, may be occasioned
by its action on the opposite and returning closed curve of the same
current. However this may be, it is exceedingly difficult to conceive, of
any adequate influence exerted by the tension of vapor.

So the mid-day barometric minimum may be caused by the attraction of the
earth, in a state of increased magnetic activity and intensity, upon the
counter-trade, and its consequent approach or settling toward the earth.
Observation, as I have already said, pointedly indicates such a state of
things. So the increased magnetic activity, with or by its associate
electricity, acts upon the electricity of the counter-trade, condensation
takes place, the electricity is disturbed in the surface-atmosphere, by
induction, and its tension is changed. Opposite electrical conditions are
induced in the surface strata, and attraction takes place. The air moves
easily, and thus the attractions originate the winds. Secondary currents
are induced, as in all other cases of ele