and on the Construction of Voltaic Batteries. 79 



merits composed of zinc and copper in the proportions of one 

 to sixteen. The sizes of the zinc plates are stated in the sub- 

 joined table. At the end of each time of immersion the acid 

 mixture was renewed, &c. ; when it appeared that, 

 (Table No. 8.) 

 1st. A zinc plate measuring one square inch, lost (in 30 min.) 5*0 grs. 



2nd. A zinc do. . two — inches, lost ( do. ) 9-9 



3rd. A zinc do. four — — lost ( — ) 19-0 



4th. A zinc do. eight — — lost ( — ) 29-2 



5th. A zinc do. sixteen — lost ( — ) 40-0 



Now, had the formerly admitted law of increase been true, 

 we should have had the last plate in the table exhibiting a 

 result of action equal to sixteen times greater than the first 

 one; since its surface is sixteen times larger. But the first 

 loses five grains, and the last 40 ; whereas, had this law been 

 correct, it should have lost 80 grains, or 5 x 16 ; but the re- 

 sult found by actual experiment is only one half or 40 grs. 



But was this result the effect of any peculiar conditions at- 

 tending the experiments ? I varied the form of the experi- 

 ments in every possible way, but with still the same general 

 results. For instance, the zinc and copper plates were con- 

 nected by wires of thicknesses proportional to their theoretical 

 values; when the results were the same: or the conducting 

 wires were made to extend around the whole outer edge of 

 the generating plates and thence to the copper ones, or one 

 entire side of the zinc was covered by a conducting plate of 

 copper, (itself and the joinings, both id this and the last case, 

 being carefully protected from the acid by varnish,) yet by 

 every modification the same general results were brought out. 

 The increase, therefore, is not as the surface, but in some 

 other ratio yet to be determined. 



Third Investigation. 



To determine the kind of influence exercised by single 

 voltaic arrangements, one upon another, when used in con- 

 nection, whether they be of equal or of unequal sizes. 



It is but to be expected, a priori, that arrangements so si- 

 tuated and connected as in the following experiments, will 

 exhibit the operation of laws, not of an arbitrary but of a de- 

 finite and unchanging kind. The great discovery of Faraday 

 leads necessarily to this expectation ; and every correct ex- 

 periment will unquestionably confirm his law, and exhibit its 

 extended influence. These experiments, however, have no 

 pretension beyond that of reaching to such a degree of accu- 

 racy as shall be subservient to their avowed object : such a 

 degree of minuteness only is aimed at as shall prove of practi- 

 cal value to the ultimate object of the whole inquiry, namely, 

 the construction of the battery. 



