In making a communication to the person stationed at the point where he wishes the information to be received, the operator, by turning the handle to the right or left, breaks the electric current; then, pressing the wire against pins connected with the battery-poles, the coils of wire receive their full deflective force, and attract the magnetic needles to either side, according to the course of the current. Thus, if the stream of electricity passes into the coil on the right, the upper part of the needle will be attracted towards it; if the stream passes into the coil on the left, then the needle will, in like manner, be attracted to it; thus, giving the whole motion necessary to the pointers. The time which elapses between the moving of the handles and the effect on the pointers, is imperceptible, though we must believe that it really follows it. The dial is divided into five circles, each containing a number of letters, or signs. The left-hand needle moving to the left twice, gives _a_; three times, _b_; once to the right and once to the left, _c_; once to the left and once to the right, _d_; once to the right, _e_; twice, _f_; three times, _g_. The order is then taken up by the right-hand needle moving once to the left for _h_; twice for _i_; three times for _k_; once to the right and once to the left for _l_; once to the left, and once to the right, for _m_; once to the right for _n_; twice for _o_; and three times for _p_. The remaining signs are made by two needles working conjointly, so that the simultaneous movement of the _two_, once to the left, indicates _r_; twice for _s_; three times for _t_; once to the right, and once to the left, for _u_; once to the right for _w_; twice for _x_; and three times for _y_. At the end of every word given, the left-hand needle, moving once to the right, to the cross, indicates that the word is completed. If the receiver understands the word, he signifies it by moving the same pointer twice to the left, and twice to the right, which means _yes_; if the communication is not understood, then the needle points twice to the right, and twice to the left, which indicates _no_. The original word is then repeated; if figures are wanted, the motions for each letter are doubled. Previously to giving a signal, the attention of the operator is called by the ringing of a bell, which is accomplished by an apparatus as simple as it is ingenious.[J]