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electricity driven to the surface of the body was engaged in its entire expanse in the process of dispersion in the atmosphere; while in the galvanic circuit, the electricity almost constantly passes through the interior of the bodies, and consequently but a very small part can enter into mutual action with the air; so that the dispersion can comparatively be only very inconsiderable. This consequence, deduced from the nature of the circumstances, is confirmed by experiments; in it lies the reason why the second law seldom comes into consideration.

The mode in which electricity makes its appearance at the place of contact of two different bodies, or the electrical tension of these bodies, I have thus expressed: when dissimilar bodies touch one another, they constantly maintain at the point of contact the same difference of potential.¹

With the help of these three fundamental positions, the conditions to which the propagation of electricity in bodies of any

¹ Ohm's word was "Spannung."—Electroscopic Force.

ED.