1835.] Improvements in Science. 99 



canals are osseous. 3. That the semicircular canals have a 

 curviture answering to that of the syphon. The ound 

 appears to be increased by introducing a solid in contact 

 with the water ; for, with a water hammer containing several 

 small rounded stones, the globular vibration of the liquid 

 took place without requiring to have any impulse commu- 

 nicated to it, as with the common hydraulic hammer. 

 Hence, he conceives that the concretions in the labyrinth 

 may facilitate the globular vibrations of the liquid in which 

 these bodies are suspended. Latour and Breschet are both 

 engaged in the further prosecution of this interesting sub- 

 ject. The latter is investigating the functions of the 

 semicircular canals in the slug. 



II. ELECTRICITY. 



M. Peltier # has obtained some important results from 

 his experiments on electric currents. He finds, 1. That 

 every electric current, whatever be its intensity, elevates 

 the temperature of homogeneous conductors. 2. That the 

 temperature is equal over the whole length of the wire, 

 with the exception of the extremities, where it increases or 

 diminishes according as the bodies to which the conducting 

 wires are attached are good or bad conductors. Thus, a 

 zinc wire between copper and iron wires of the same diameter 

 affords with the same current different temperatures at each 

 of the extremities. 



3. Whatever be the length of a conductor the elevation 

 of temperature is the same under the same current, even 

 when the extremity of the conductor is plunged into a cold 

 liquid. In order to obtain the same quantity with a more 

 imperfect conductor, it is necessary to increase the energy 

 of the electrical source. If a complete current of 20° is 

 procured, the elevation of temperature will be 10° over the 

 whole length of the wire. Hence, it is the quantity of 

 electricity completing the circuit which determines the 

 elevation of temperature, and not the quantity detained. 

 With a current of 15°, and a wire of 0-8 diameter, the 

 temperature of the latter was 2°*4 ; with a current of 30° it 

 was 7°, that is in the proportion of 2 to 3, or with a double 



* Ann. de Chim. lvi. 371. 

 H2 



