' Definitions of netn Terms. 163 



electricity is passing into and out of the substance would 

 have an invariable reference, and exhibit constantly the same 

 relations of powers. Upon this notion we purpose calling 

 that towards the east the anode*, and that towards the west 

 the cathode f ; and whatever changes may take place in our 

 views of the nature of electricity and electrical action, as they 

 must affect the natural standard referred to in the same direc- 

 tion, and to an equal amount with any decomposing substances 

 to which these terms may at any time be applied, there seems 

 no reason to expect that they will lead to confusion, or tend 

 in any way to support false views. The anode is therefore 

 that surface at which the electric current, according to our 

 present expression, enters: it is the negative extremity of the 

 decomposing body; is where oxygen, chlorine, acids, &c., are 

 evolved ; and is against or opposite the positive electrode. 

 The cathode is that surface at which the current leaves the 

 decomposing body, and is its positive extremity ; the com- 

 bustible bodies, metals, alkalies, and bases, are evolved there, 

 and it is in contact with the negative electrode. 



664. I shall have occasion in these Researches, also, to class 

 bodies together according to certain relations derived from 

 their electrical actions (822.); and wishing to express those 

 relations without at the same time involving the expression of 

 any hypothetical views, I intend using the following names 

 and terms. Many bodies are decomposed directly by the 

 electric current, their elements being set free ; these I propose 

 to call electrolytes %. Water, therefore, is an electrolyte. The 

 bodies which, like nitric or sulphuric acids, are decomposed 

 in a secondary manner (752. 757.), are not included under 

 this term. Then for electro-chemically decomposed, I shall 

 often use the term elecirolyzed, derived in the same way, and 

 implying that the body spoken of is separated into its com- 

 ponents under the influence of electricity : it is analogous in 

 its sense and sound to analyze, which is derived in a similar 

 manner. The term electrolytical will be understood at once. 

 Muriatic acid is electrolytical, boracic acid is not. 



665, Finally, I require a term to express those bodies which 

 can pass to the electrodes, or, as they are usually called, the 

 poles. Substances are frequently spoken of as being electro- 

 negative, or electro-positive, according as they go under the 

 supposed influence of a direct attraction to the positive or 

 negative pole. But these terms are much too significant for 

 the use to which I should have to put them ; for though the 



* xvoc. upwards, olos a way\ the way which the sun rises. 

 t Kotrex. downwards, olos a way ; the way which the sun sets. 

 X faiHTftov, and Ava solvo. N. Electrolyte, V. Electrolyze. 

 Y2 



