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dition, originating from the point of excitation, proceeding uniformly through the whole ring, and finally again returning to the place of excitation; whilst at this place itself, a sudden spring in the electric condition, constituting the tension, is, as was previously stated, constantly perceptible. In this simple separation or division of the electricity lies the key to the most varied phenomena.

The mode of separation of the electricity has been completely determined by the preceding observation; but the absolute force of the electricity at the various parts of the ring still remains uncertain. This property may best be conceived by imagining the ring, its nature remaining otherwise unaltered, opened at the point of excitation and extended in a straight line, and representing the force of the electricity at such point by the length of a perpendicular line erected upon it; that directed upwards may represent a positive, but that downwards, a negative electrical state of the point.