The unified model and the Seyfert 2 infrared dichotomy

An optical spectropolarimetric study has shown that the detectability of po larized broad H alpha in Seyfert 2 galaxies is correlated with the IRAS f(6 0)f(25) flux ratio where only those Seyfert 2s with 'warm' IRAS colours sho w polarized broad-line emission. It was suggested that those Seyfert 2s wit h 'cool' IRAS colours have highly inclined tori which obscure the broad-lin e scattering screen. I present here hard X-ray observations inconsistent with this picture, show ing that the derived column densities of warm and cool Seyfert 2 galaxies a re statistically the same. I classify the Bright Galaxy Sample to produce a non-Seyfert comparison. The analysis of the properties of these galaxies w ith the Seyfert 2s suggests that the IRAS f(60)f(25) flux ratio is consiste nt with implying the relative strength of galactic to Seyfert emission. I s how that this new picture can account for the absence of polarized broad H alpha in the cool Seyfert 2s.