430 Dr. Faraday's Experimental Researches in Electricity, 



third class of more complicated results will be required, must 

 be decided by future experiments. 



84-9. It is probable that all our present elementary bodies 

 are ions, but that is not as yet certain. There are some, such 

 as carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, silicon, boron, alumium, the 

 right of which to the title of ion it is desirable to decide as 

 soon as possible. There are also many compound bodies, 

 and amongst them alumina and silica, which it is desirable to 

 class immediately by unexceptionable experiments. It is also 

 possible, that all combinable bodies, compound as well as sim- 

 ple, may enter into the class of ions ; but at present it does not 

 seem to me probable. Still the experimental evidence I have 

 is so small in proportion to what must gradually accumulate 

 around, and bear upon, this point, that I am afraid to give a 

 strong opinion upon it. 



850. I think I cannot deceive myself in considering the 

 doctrine of definite electro-chemical action as of the utmost im- 

 portance. It touches by its facts more directly and closely than 

 any former fact, or set of facts, have done upon the beautiful 

 idea, that ordinary chemical affinity is a mere consequence 

 of the electrical attractions of the particles of different kinds 

 of matter ; and it will probably lead us to the means by which 

 we may enlighten that which is at present so obscure, and 

 either fully demonstrate the truth of the idea, or develop that 

 which ought to replace it. 



851. A very valuable use of electro-chemical equivalents 

 will be to decide, in cases of doubt, what is the true chemical 

 equivalent, or definite proportional, or atomic number of a 

 body ; for I have such conviction that the power which go- 

 verns electro-decomposition and ordinary chemical attractions 

 is the same ; and such confidence in the overruling influence 

 of those natural laws which render the former definite, as to 

 feel no hesitation in believing that the latter must submit to 

 them also. Such being the case, I can have no doubt that, 

 assuming hydrogen as 1, and dismissing small fractions for the 

 simplicity of expression, the equivalent number or atomic 

 weight of oxygen is 8, of chlorine 36, of bromine 78*4<, of lead 

 103*5, of tin 59, &c, notwithstanding that a very high au- 

 thority doubles several of these numbers. 



§ 13. On the absolute Quantity of Electricity associated with 

 the Particles or Atoms of Matter. 



852. The theory of definite electrolytical or electro-chemi- 

 cal action appears to me to touch immediately upon the abso- 

 lute quantity of electricity or electric power belonging to dif- 

 ferent bodies. It is impossible, perhaps, to speak on this point 



