The law of action in relation to this point is, that in diamagnetic
crystals, the line along which the repulsion is a maximum, sets
equatorially in the magnetic field; while in magnetic crystals the
line along which the attraction is a maximum sets from pole to pole.
Faraday had said that the magne-crystallic force was neither
attraction nor repulsion. Thus far he was right. It was neither
taken singly, but it was both. By the combination of the doctrine
of diamagnetic polarity with these differential attractions and
repulsions, and by paying due regard to the character of the
magnetic field, every fact brought to light in the domain of
magne-crystallic action received complete explanation. The most
perplexing of those facts were shown to result from the action of
mechanical couples, which the proved polarity both of magnetism and
diamagnetism brought into play. Indeed the thoroughness with which
the experiments of Faraday were thus explained, is the most striking
possible demonstration of the marvellous precision with which they
were executed.

Footnotes to Chapter 11

[1] See Heat as a Mode of Motion, ninth edition, p. 75.

[2] See Sir Wm. Thomson on Magne-crystallic Action. Phil. Mag., 1851.


Chapter 12.

Magnetism of flame and gases--atmospheric magnetism