and the Theory of Electrolysis. 97 



Large negative electrode gained 42 grains, positive lost 44 

 grains; equivalent 1*5 grain. 



A piece of zinc and copper, each measuring 3 inches by 3, 

 were placed in distilled water, and two small electrodes, 1 by 2 

 inches, attached and placed in a solution of sulphate of copper. 

 The current passing was sufficient to deflect a delicate galva- 

 nometer needle 3° : the current was allowed to pass seventy- 

 two hours. The electrodes being again weighed, the negative 

 had undergone no change, the positive had lost 2*6 grains. 



Another experiment of the same kind, but the electrodes 

 placed in dilute sulphuric acid, 1 to 100 water, the current 

 passed forty-eight hours; the negative electrode was found 

 unchanged, the positive had lost 2 grains. A piece of copper 

 suspended in the acid solution during the same time remained 

 unchanged. 



These experiments, which are only a few of a great many 

 thnt were made, all bearing more or less on the point, I think 

 sufficiently prove the view taken both of the origin of the 

 undecomposing current of electricity, and also that it is that 

 current which produces the phenomenon under discussion ; 

 namely, a disposition in the positive electrode and in the zinc 

 in the battery to combine with the negative element of the 

 electrolyte up to a given point, varying according to the 

 strength of acid, and the negative properties, if we may so 

 term it, of the metal in contact with the zinc, through the in- 

 fluence of which the chemical action is induced. 



The results of the experiments of this as well as my pre- 

 ceding paper upon electrical endosmose, are applicable to the 

 explanation of various natural and chemical phaenomena, the 

 investigations into some of which I am at present engaged 

 with. At present I shall confine myself to a few remarks upon 

 the philosophy of electrolytic action which these experiments 

 suggest. 



The manner in which electricity passes through and decom- 

 poses solutions, is a subject that has occupied the attention of 

 electro-chemists since its power to do so was first known, and 

 the opinions published are almost as numerous as the inves- 

 tigators ; the greater part of which having been already col- 

 lected and published by Professor Faraday in his Fifth (Series 

 of Researches, need not be repeated here. Suffice it * say, 

 that the whole of these theories being based upon the v . Uppo- 

 sition that there is a mutual transfer of both the negative and 

 positive elements of an electrolyte, and that supposition being 

 now found incorrect, these theories cease to be tenable. 



From the first time that I observed that the base of an elec- 

 trolyte was not transferred, my mind became impressed with 



Phil. Mag. S. 3. Vol. 29. No. 192. August 1 846. H 



