AHALYSI1 OF THE GALVANIC PILE. 2$$ 



in a well is proportional only to the elevation of the stratum 

 whence it proceeds. 



4. But wnen, in order to produce a current of water, a Theory c* 

 pipe is placed, or a trench is cut, on the side of a well, be- pl*""* 1 - 

 low the level at which the water stood in it, the current will 



be greater and more permanent, in proportion to the extent 

 of the stratum, of the same elevation, whence the water pro- 

 ceeds; and also, when the divergence of the little pendula 

 of the electroscope exceeds the extent that it can have with- 

 out one of them striking the side, then falling by a momen- 

 tary contact with the tin foil, which communicates with the 

 giound, it will sooner rise and strike again, with the same 

 number of groups, in proportion to the size of the plates ; 

 which last circumstance increases also the current of electric 

 fluid circulating in a pile, the extremities of which are con- 

 nected together by a conductor. 



5. The water of all springs has the same source, namely, 

 the rain water percolatiug through the ground, and retained 

 on some impervious stratum, either argillaceous or stony. 

 If this tenter do not find in its way any substance, with which 

 it can combine, it comes out as it had fallen on the ground: 

 but if in its course it combines with any substance, it may 

 come out with certain chemical properties, different accord- 

 ing t© the substances which have combined with it. The 

 case is the same with respect to the electric fluid, which per- 

 vades the pile; its source is no other than the electric fluid 

 diffused over all terrestrial bodies, therefore over the pile 

 itself. However we should be ignorant of the constant ex- 

 istence of this fluid over us and around us, were it not that, 

 by artificial or natural operations, its density may be either 

 increased or diminished on insulated bodies : this is the only 

 circumstance which makes it appear, and that by the elec- 

 troscope alone; for as long as this fluid remains in a state of 

 equal diffusion over all bodies, it is manifested by no effect 

 hitherto discovered. The friction between two bodies dis- 

 turbs that equilibrium, in a manner which I shall show in a 

 future paper on the Analysis of the Electric machine. But 

 in the pile, which is my present object, it is by a property of 

 its composition, that the equilibrium of the electric fluid is 

 disturbed, whence proceed either the motions of the electro- 

 scopes, 



