Part 2 (1/2)

Whence is the word derived?

From _electron_, the Greek word for amber, a yellow transparent substance, remarkable for its electrical pohen rubbed: amber is of a resinous nature, and is collected fro from the earth, in many parts of the world It is employed in the manufacture of beads and other toys, on account of its transparency; is of so of varnishes

_Transparent_, clear, capable of being seen through

_Resinous_, containing resin, a gu this remarkable property

Silks of all kinds; the hair and fur of animals, paper, sulphur, and some other minerals; ems are made; and many other substances used by us in the common affairs of life, are susceptible of electrical excite domestic animals the cat furnishes a remarkable instance When dry and warrown cat (the darker its color the better) can be excited by rubbing it with the hand in the direction of the hair, a process which is acco noise, and in the dark by flashes of pale blue light When a piece of glass is rubbed with silk, or a stick of red sealing-oollen cloth, each substance acquires the property of attracting and repelling feathers, straws, threads of cotton, and other light substances; the substances just hly electric are, however, merely specimens All objects, without exception,electrically excited; but some require more complicated contrivances to produce it than others

_Electric_, having the properties of electricity

_Susceptible_, disposed to ad back

_Complicated_, formed by the union of several parts in one

Is there not a e supplies of electric power at pleasure?

Yes; the electrical machine It is made of different forms and sizes: for common purposes those of the simplest form are the best A colass, which can be turned about a horizontal axis by means of a suitable handle This plate turns between two supports, and near its upper and lower edges are two pairs of cushi+ons, usually made of leather, stuffed with horse-hair and coated with a a friction, and are connected with the earth by e hollow cylinders of brass with globular ends, each supported by two glass pillars, constitute the reservoir for receiving the electricity They are called the _prime conductors_, and are supplied with U-shaped rods oftheir sides, called _colass plate, the ar held upon either side The other ends of the conductors are connected by a rod fro in a knob, for delivering the spark

On turning the plate, a faint snapping sound is heard, and when the room is darkened, a spark is seen to be thrown out fro fro experimentsthe general properties of electricity For instance: a person standing on an insulated bench, that is, a bench with glass legs, or having the legs resting on glass, and having one hand on the conductor, can send sparks, with the other hand, to everything and everybody about This illustrates communication of electricity by contact A wooden head, covered with long hairs, when placed on the conductor, illustrates electrical repulsion, by the hairs standing on end

If the hand is held to the knob, sparks will pass fro in the hand a sensation of pain This is called an _electric shock_, and is caused by the electric fluid occasioning a sudden h which it passes The force of the shock is in proportion to the power of the machine

What are the Muscles?

Bundles of thin fleshy fibres, or threads, fastened to the bones of animals, the contraction and expansion of which anic functions of life

_Organic_, relating to organs or natural instruments by which some process is carried on

_Functions_, employments or offices of any part of the body

_Contraction_, drawing in or shortening