Spiral formed in positive bulb. Glow in tube extinguished.
The negative bulb was not much changed in appearance; but in the positive bulb a curious permanent and steady cloud-like spiral, of a purple colour, made its appearance, and lasted while the tube was under the magnetic influence. (See Plate XVII. fig. 12.) After a short time the tube seemed to lose a great deal of its conducting-power, and to light up in a feeble and intermittent manner, brightening only when the coil was made to work its best. While in this condition, the magnet (which had been previously disconnected) was excited, and at once what moderate glow was still shining in the tube was totally extinguished. At first it was thought some accident might have happened to the conducting-coil wires; but repeated trials satisfied us that the effect was due to the magnetic influence alone. Efforts were made, by looking to the coil and battery, to brighten up the tube as at first, but they quite failed; and it was evident some change had taken place in its conducting qualities. This tube was accidentally broken, so that we had no opportunity to renew the experiments.
Another tin-chloride tube tried. Glow described.
We subsequently tried another tin-chloride tube, purchased of Mr. Browning. This lighted up like the former tube, but brighter. There was an amber glow at the junction of the negative bulb which adjoined the capillary part. This was lost on putting on the magnet. At the same time a perceptible pattering ringing noise was heard in the tube, and metallic-looking threads of light ran through the bulbs.
Spectrum described.
Without the magnet, the spectrum was a continuous faint misty one, with bright lines of tin occasionally flashing up. With the magnet, the tin lines at once shone out bright, strong, and clear upon a black background, the change in effect being very marked.
CHAPTER XVII.
EFFECT OF MAGNET ON BULBED PHOSPHORESCENT TUBE.
Large phosphorescent bulbed tube. Lighting-up described. Spectrum described. Glow when discharge stopped, described.