sciences, when direct evidence is impossible, analogical evidence is accepted. The world will not, we think, in this instance, submit to be led by an anonymous critic, even although he is a contributor to Blackwood.*

The next form of force that we know of is in a plant or tree. We before drew the attention of the institute to the great similarity between the force of a tree and the manner in which the tree grew, to a magnet with filings at either end. We showed how there was no growth, comparatively speaking, from the trunk, as the center of the magnet, and how the roots and branches repelled each other and never came into contact; all exactly as we find it in the iron magnet.† Seeing then that there was no theory before the world of the cause of the life of a plant, and seeing that all the exhibition of its force could be explained by magnetism, we thought we were justified in concluding that the life-force of a tree was magnetism.

We also spoke of an animal exhibiting somewhat similar peculiarities, in its shape and growth, to the iron magnet. A man's legs and arms spread out at either end of his trunk or body, and the life-force or action is from the center (or stomach where the food is dissolved) to the extremities. If we take the lowest form of life—the zoophyte - we find that if we cut it into innumerable pieces each piece will form another complete zoophyte, thus further resembling a magnet. The problem of the vital force of men and animals not being known either, we thought ourselves justified in also saying that the highest as well as the lowest development of life or force was magnetism.

Furthermore, what is true of one magnet ought to be so with another. If then we are correct in saying that the molecules of an iron magnet have polarity, the molecules of all plants and animals being magnets, should also have polarity. Again, as all minerals, rocks, etc., have a certain structural power which may be traced to magnetism, we make the broad assertion that all the atoms of matter in the earth have polarity. But it will be said this is only an assumption and nothing more, and as it cannot be proved, we may only take it for what it is worth. Yet strange as it may seem, nothing is easier of proof, and we do it in the following manner:

We have said that in breaking a magnet each piece is found to be a separate magnet having polarity, but if we reverse the experiment, and incorporate a number of magnets into one, each magnet merges its individual polarity into the magnetism of the whole, and no matter what may be the size of the magnet, or the number of magnets incorporated with it, there can never be more than the two poles in it. This leads us, in passing, to say that if an argument holds good in one extreme, it ought to hold good in the other. Thus with regard to Tyndall's prolonging the intellectual vision to the polarity of the magnetic molecules, if such a deduction is not scientific because "it crosses the boundary of experimental evidence," then neither is it

*Blackwood refused our MSS. of "Origin of Creation," because it came into contact with theories of their contributors.

As in breaking a magnet, also, each piece shows itself a complete magnet; so in plants or trees, each cutting shows itself also a complete magnet by growing.

scientific to say, that if a million magnets were welded into one great magnet a mile long by half a mile broad, it would have only two poles, because such an experiment is beyond the experimental boundary; yet no one would ever dream of doubting it. Strange also as it may seem, we have a real magnet much larger than the imaginary one we have pictured, composed, too, of innumerable smaller magnets; but this anticipates the concluding proof to our magnetic or rather ato-magnetic theory of life (for we include the atomic attraction of like to like in it, because the two forces are inseparable). We have said that the atoms of all iron are magnets; we have also said that the atoms of all plants and animals are magnets; we have even hazarded the assertion that the atoms of all matter in earth, air and sea, are magnets, and herein lies our proof of it. If all the atoms. in the earth are magnets, then the earth itself ought to be one vast ponderous magnet, with only two magnetic poles. And is it so? The only answer is, Yes!

In conclusion, is not this as it should be, for where is the necessity for a multiplicity of forces when one is sufficient for the purpose. We enter a machine shop, and amid the buzz of wheels and bands we see an engine in a corner running not only the small wheels, but turning the large fly-wheel as well; or we look on our harbor and see the same power moving not only the pleasure steam-yacht but the ponderous iron-clad as well. If, then, such is the manner in which man accomplishes his objects, if it is his endeavor in every force he controls to make it work not only small things but great, how much more should it be nature's mode to work in a similar way, for all man's highest efforts are but to imitate or to copy her, and it is not possible that the original should be less perfect than the copy.

Spontaneous generation, therefore, or the cause of it, is only one quoin stone in the arch which girdles the universe, without which nature herself would be incomplete, and in a state of chaos.

PROF. TYNDALL'S "UNANSWERABLE QUESTIONS," OR WHAT IS MAGNETISM?

BY THOS. R. FRASER, M. D., of Halifax, N. S.

Professor Tyndall in his lectures at Belfast says: "In fact the whole process of evolution is the manifestation of a power absolutely inscrutable to the intellect of man. As little in our day as in the days of Job, can man by searching, find this power out."

The difficulty with the professor, and also with his opponents in the way of ascertaining the mystery to the process of evolution, and of other natural phenomena, also of the character of a universal power in nature and its operations, appears to be in consequence of their adherence to the method of "Gassendi" viz., by the application of mechanical law to the force and motions or action of atoms, and to their consequent natural phenomena, instead of refering all to the ato-magnetic law which I will hereafter refer to.

So long as that practice is persisted in, the professor's assertion is certain to be verified, as it must be evident that the principles of mechanical law are inapplicable to the action of atoms; yet these may be mechanically arranged although subject to the original fiat and the law of ato-magnetism alone.

The so-called inexplicable question raised by the professor amounts to this: What is the natural law and modus operandi of the universal and so-called inscrutable power that influences matter?

That question I will endeavor to answer, but will premise that such power being an occult influence can be known only by its effects, and these being exhibited through matter we may examine the nature and properties of matter and the effects produced on it by that power and thus obtain a clearer knowledge of such power or force, its modus operandi and of the law by which it manifests itself through matter. Matter of which this force is an inherent element or inseparable influence, is the material of the universe, occupying all space. It is that which (in its results) is obviously perceptible by the senses; it possesses form, size, and occupies locality or position.

Matter is infinitely divisible; hence, as far as the senses are capable of perception, or as far as the mind can conceive, it must be composed of particles, molecules, monads, "seeds" or atoms, that are but the same material in different conditions and positions. They are infinitely numerous as they are infinitely minute.

The divine record declares that the earth was originally "without form and void," or invisible, but made visible by the influence of a spiritual power and fiat, "Let it be done, and it was so;" it then formed water, for "the spirit of God moved upon the face of the

waters." Again that fiat went forth, "Let the waters be gathered into one place and let the dry land appear, and it was so." Again, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed and the fruittree yielding fruit after his kind whose seed is in itself upon the earth, and it was so." Again, "Let the waters bring forth abundantly, the moving creatures that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth, and it was so." Again, "Let the earth bring forth the living creature after its kind, cattle and creeping things, and beasts of the earth after his kind, and it was so." "As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be."

We have here no mechanical operation in reference to any product of these creations or productions. How, indeed, can mechanical law be applicable to their continuation and changes, or how can microscopic examinations ever detect the working of that spiritual law, or the nature and properties of matter? Must it not rather be referred to the spontaneous working of a recognized law of nature, imparted by the omnipotent power of a supreme designer and architect, according to the fiat previously quoted, and not dependent on any personal or mechanical operations.

We here find that matter has in its connection and combination an occult natural force which is the proximate cause of its changes and manifestations, an essential, inherent, intrinsical, reversible but indestructible force of the atoms individually or collectively. This force is identical with that manifested in "loadstone" and by certain metals when in that condition known as "magnetized." A force that is virtually magnetism?

The law governing the ato-magnetic force here referred to, as exemplified in this magnet, is thus described:

Like atoms attract and repel their like only, the greater influencing and controlling the less. Their like ends or poles repel, and unlike poles attract. The attracting and repelling power is equal; by their attracting they form substances, by their repelling influence, substances are dissolved. The polarity of magnets is reversible by their influence on each other, and by the change of position relative to the earth. The force and action of atoms and magnets depend upon their condition and position relatively to each other and to the earth.

Of the truth of this law in reference to ato-magnetic force, I find evidence in Professor Tyndall's recorded experiments with magnets and filings, whereby he shows what he calls "Faraday's Magnetic Curves." This is synomymous with Swedenburg's magnetic circles

yet that ato-magnetic force (to me) seems to be exerted in a direct line. The experiment with the filings and magnet shows the apparent curves and semicircles to be but the modified result of the ato-magnetic law.

Thus, if we place a needle in a position to be influenced by a magnet, it will be attracted directly, or in a straight line to the end; but if we place a number of needles in a like position, although they will all be similarly attracted, yet their ends will spread apart from each other, thereby apparently forming curves; because their ends

being all in possession of the like polarity, repel each other. If we place a sufficient quantity of filings in a position to be influenced by the entire magnet (see the Professor's experiment), they will then be seen to assume the curved form from either end of the magnet and to assume a semicircular form or curve round the equator or middle of the magnet. The cause of this form or curve is, that the ends of the lines of filings at either end of the magnet, being of the same polarity, repel each other, and when the particles from either pole of the magnet are in a position to be influenced by the particles from the opposite pole, they attract each other, and so tend to form curves or circles. If we place the end or pole of another magnet to the opposite pole of that one having the filings attached, they will be found to unite by the filings forming "fiber." Reverse the pole, applying similar poles to each other and the metallic fiber is immediately dissipated or scattered into powder, thereby showing how the working of the law is influenced by, or dependent on, the position of matter, the one position inducing a formation which the other dissolves. These experiments are made by the use of what are called fixed or natural magnets, such as "loadstone" and steel, formed of atoms of pure iron. These in their formation are not combined or in contact with any differing or conflicting atoms to cause disturbance, they, therefore, retain a fixed polarity and force which they derive from their relative position with the earth the greater magnet. Yet the like force and action can be shown to be inherent, universally in a degree throughout all material substances and atoms, in all their variety of forms and conditions. We may now see exhibited that force in magnets by a magnetic or "galvanic " battery, to which a bar of soft iron is so attached in a position to exhibit the ato-magnetic force in the iron similar to that in a fixed magnet. While the iron is connected with the battery the force and action is similar to that already explained, but immediately it is cut off or disconnected from the battery, the exhibition of force ceases. This may be exemplified in the principle or working of the "electric" telegraph-so called where the entire line and instruments are converted into a magnet of many miles extent, subject to the will of the operator when connecting and disconnecting the battery from the line by his "key." When connected with the line of wire and instruments, the whole are combined to form a magnet. Its magnetic force is then exhibited only at the poles of the relays, by the medium of a piece of soft iron called an armature, when the operator raises the key, the battery is disconnected, and the magnetic influence is withdrawn from the lines and relay, in which operation the armature is removed from the poles by a spring attachment. The motion of the armature produces that well known ticking sound which is interpreted by the operator. This magnetic action is vulgarly, or commonly, supposed "to be caused by an electric current, passing through or over the line in some mysterious and inexplicable way," whereas we find it to be simply an example of the ato-magnetic force and action as just explained.

This force is again exhibited in a similar manner by the process of forming and dissolving of all metallic and mineral substances, and