s
still true that on the negative half of the circuit, the _negative_
qualities _diminish_ as we advance towards the central point just as on
the positive half, the _positive_ qualities diminish regularly towards
the central point, as stated above.

THE CURRENT.

_The current_ is that moving electric essence which traverses the
circuit. The _course_ of the current is always from the positive to the
negative. It leaves the machine at the positive post, where it enters
the cord which holds the positive electrode or pole. Thence it advances
around the circuit, going out from the opposite cord where that connects
with the negative post. The forward end of the current is its positive
end; the rear, of course, is its negative end. At its forward end it is
in its greatest volume. At its rear end the volume is least. At the
_central point_ of its circuit there is the _mean_ quantity--the
_average_ volume. And because the positive and negative forces on either
side exactly balance each other upon the central point, therefore this
point is practically neuter--neither positive nor negative.

MODIFICATIONS OF ELECTRICITY.

In the present stage of electric science, the conviction has become very
general among experimenters that galvanism, magnetism, faradism,
frictional electricity and the electricity of the storm-cloud are, in
their essential nature, one and the same; being diversified in
appearance and effects by the different modes and circumstances of their
development. This conviction has been reached in various ways; but
chiefly, perhaps, by observing the many analogies between the phenomena
of these several forces, and also by the fact that each of them can be
made to produce or be produced by one or more of the others. But I must
forego any detailed discussion of this matter, since my limits will not
admit of it, and shall assume that these apparently several agents are
but modifications of the same generic force.

There are two other phases or modifications of the electric principle,
as I judge them to be, which are not so generally classed here. I refer
to the forces of animal and vegetable vitality, as viewed in the next
section.

VITAL FORCES--ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE.

Upon these points I must be permitted to offer a few words.

Of the _animal kingdom_, I regard the "nervous fluid" or "nervous
influence," popularly so called, as being the very principle of _animal
vitalization_--the life force; and that, a m