Note 26 — Chapter II · Progress of Magnetic Theory.

The function V is of constant occurrence in investigations respecting attractions. It is introduced by Laplace in his investigations respecting the attractions of spheroids, Méc. Cél. Livr. iii. Art. 4. Mr. Green and Professor Mac Cullagh have proposed to term this function the Potential of the system; but this term (though suggested, I suppose, by analogy with the substantive Exponential), does not appear convenient in its form. On the other hand, the term Integral Proximity does not indicate that which gives the function its peculiar claim to distinction; namely, that its differentials express the power or attraction of the system. Perhaps Integral Potentiality, or Integral Attractivity, would be a term combining the recommendations of both the others.