every variation in the energy of the action; almost every
application which could possibly be made of magnetism to bring out
in detail the character of this new force, is minutely described.
The field is swept clean, and hardly anything experimental is left
for the gleaner. The phenomena, he concludes, are altogether
different from those of magnetism or diamagnetism: they would appear,
in fact, to present to us 'a new force, or a new form of force,
in the molecules of matter,' which, for convenience sake, he designates
by a new word, as 'the magne-crystallic force.'

He looks at the crystal acted upon by the magnet. From its mass he
passes, in idea, to its atoms, and he asks himself whether the power
which can thus seize upon the crystalline molecules, after they have
been fixed in their proper positions by crystallizing force, may not,
when they are free, be able to determine their arrangement?
He, therefore, liberates the atoms by fusing the bismuth. He places
the fused substance between the poles of an electro-magnet,
powerfully excited; but he fails to detect any action. I think it
cannot be doubted that an action is exerted here, that a true cause
comes into play; but its magnitude is not such as sensibly to
interfere with the force of crystallization, which, in comparison
with the diamagnetic force, is enormous. 'Perhaps,' adds Faraday,
'if a longer time were allowed, and a permanent magnet used, a
better result might be obtained. I had built many hopes upon the
process.' This expression, and his writings abound in such,
illustrates what has been already said regarding his experiments
being suggested and guided by his theoretic conceptions. His mind
was full of hopes and hypotheses, but he always brought them to an
experimental test. The record of his planned and executed experiments
would, I doubt not, show a high ratio of hopes disappointed to hopes