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Show ic property we have; the earth its self is said to be a huge magnet and exhibit its polarity. Near its centre there is a certain place known as the Magnetic Meridian that seems to divide the power of attraction, from this line, bodies subject to its power all points toward the ends or poles of the Magnet. Hence, if we tike a Magnet and suspend it by a piece of thread, place it on a piviot, or fasten it on a cork immersed in water arranged in either case so the magnet may be free to work one end will alwavs point in a north em direction, and the other end in a southern, although it will not as was once thought, point due north and south, owing to the fact .that the Magnetic poles do not coinside with the Mathematical poles. The needle is also subject to diarnual and annual variations, and to variations varia-tions extending through long periods of time; supposed to be caused by the action of the sun. Similiar to the equator, but much more irregular, is an imaginary tine passing around the earth which the power of attraction is, (zero) or equal; on this line the magnetic needle will be perfectly patatlel to the earth's surface, but, as we leave and pass toward the poles, the needle will commence to dip or tip toward the ground; until finally the north seeking end of the needle (if we go north) will keep changing its position and soon point toward the south. Then passing back toward the equator the needle will again commence to dip till it is turned around in the same position as it was before, passing around the magnetic pole, with the positive, end pointing toward the North pole. It is due to the magi.etic property of the earth that the Mariner has his compass to guide him through, the unknown countries and rovelng seas. The people of Mediavel times had somefrm of a compass, theChinese used it in traveling through Siberia and the southern oceans; although their conception of it must have been very obscure, and it was made very inacurate. B. F. L. THE EARTH'S MAGNETISM. Written for the RectSTElt The word magnetism is of Greek otigin, said to be derived from the City Magnessia where the loadstone, having the power of attraction, was first discovered. This strange power pow-er is something that has long been known,that is its action, to a limited degree; but just what it is still remains re-mains a mystery to award future researches: re-searches: It cannot be weighed; measured, nor analyzed; you can-rot can-rot smell it, taste it, 'see it, nor feel it, still it exists. Loadstone is not the only magnet- |