a a. The glass joint of the fishing-rod, from which the last joint, carrying the paper tassel, b, projects. c. The electrical machine.
Twenty-sixth Experiment.
Suspend from the prime conductor by a chain a circular brass plate and under this place another supported by a brass adjusting stand. If pith figures of men and women are placed on the lower plate, they rise directly the machine is turned, although sometimes, in consequence of irregularity in the adjustment of the centre of gravity, they perversely dance on their heads instead of the usual position; out of half a dozen figures, one only perhaps will be found to dance well, by alternately jumping to the upper plate and falling to the lower one to discharge the excess of electricity; and indeed the experiment will be found to succeed better with one or two only on the plate instead of a number, as they cling together and impede each other's movements. (Fig. 170.)
Fig. 170.
a. Prime conductor. b. Upper brass-plate. c. Lower ditto. The figures are seen between b and c.
Twenty-seventh Experiment.
An assistant provided with a wig of well-combed hair presents a most ridiculous appearance when standing on the insulating stool and connected by a wire with the prime conductor of the electrical machine, every hair, when not matted together, standing out in the most absurd manner, when the machine is put in motion.