ChMcal Nmcis. je8j 



. radence feetns to require Ui^t we fliould determine the ge- 

 neral laws which the elc6lric matter follows in its combina- 

 tion with oxygen before we attempt to form theories." 



Xiei'peciing Volta's difcovery, Mr. Gottling has pubUdied 

 the following notice : 



"^ The galvanic batte^^, couf^rn^led by profefTor Vplta, 

 with plates pffllver apd zinc, having bits of pafteboard, 

 nioiftened with fait water, interpofed between them, is> no 

 doubt, worthy, of the utmoil attention. The decompolitiori 

 of water; the decompofition of earthy and metallic^ falt^ji^tliiJ 

 })rodu<Sbion of acids and of fulminating lilver; the decorapo- 

 iition of the fulphurous acid, which have already been ef- 

 fected ;b)5iU;v its a6lion on alkalies and ammonia, Sec. (how 

 iiow intereding this difcovery is to chcmifts, and What im- 

 portant difcoveries may be expefted from it. There is rea- 

 fon, therefore, to wifh that the refearches on this fubje6l,jppi^X 

 be multiplied and rendered more general. The plates of 

 filver, hovyever, neceflary for this purpofe, feejn to be an. 

 obftacl'e;. as the pieces of coin, commonly ufed, top foon Ipf^ 

 their brilliancy, and cannot be procured in fufficient numb^ 

 by thofe who have time and opportunity to make the. exp^r 

 ximent^. Copper, indeed, may be ufed inftead of filver^ but 

 it loon becomes oxydated. I have therefore endeavoured tp 

 ilnd fome other metal to be ufed inftead of filver; and of ajj 

 zhofe mixtures which I tried, that formed of one part of ferr 

 ruginous antimony and two parts of lead, I found to be th^ 

 moll ufeful : that is, regulus of antimony, prepared with iroja 

 in the common way, is to be fufcd with lead in. the aboy^ 

 proportion. This mixture is exceedingly fufible, and may be 

 formed into plates of the required iize by being poured into 

 moulds. The efie^ls when this metal is employed are not 

 fo ftrong as with filver; and according to my experiments, 

 100 pairs of zinc plates and plates of this mixed met^al are 

 equal to 80 pairs of zinc and filver plates. This metal, how- 

 ever^ is to be recommended on.account of its chcappefs, and 

 becaufc it is not eafily oxydated. ,. The mixture employed for 

 printing-types produces nearlv a (imilar eileSl." 



Profeffor Guttling has publiihed alfo the following notice 



refpe^ing 



