of a view of certain Electrolytic Experiments. 205 



error; first, because in a chemical point of view, a metal can- 

 not displace the hydrogen of water without uniting with 

 the oxygen ; and secondly, because no electrolysis can origi- 

 nate without a simultaneous action ensuing in all the anions 

 and cathions forming the electrolytic row, subjected to the 

 decompositions and recompositions essential to that process. 

 Had there been no anion to combine with the cupreous cathion 

 at the membrane, how could the electrolysis have taken place ? 

 Agreeably to my apprehension, as well might it be repre- 

 sented, that a chain should continue to suspend a weight 

 after any of its intervening links should be severed, as that 

 electrolysis should proceed throughout any row of electrolytic 

 atoms, when in any portion of the row there should be a 

 cathion having no corresponding anion to combine with. 



9. I call on Professor Daniell for replies to these queries. 

 In yielding its electricity to the hydrogen of water, how could 

 the copper be at a loss for something to combine with to 

 complete its course, when the oxygen of that water was ne- 

 cessarily present? 



10. If the copper cathion had no anion to combine with, 

 how could it discharge itself upon the hydrogen ? 



11. If in the row of electrolytic atoms in which the cupreous 

 cathions were situated, there was a point where there was no 

 anion, how could the electrolysis have commenced? 



12. Professor Daniell states that it is to him unintelligible, 

 that a solution of potash on one side of a membrane and a 

 solution of sulphate of copper on the other, can act as elec- 

 trodes while subjected to electrolysis. But no reason is as- 

 signed why it is more unintelligible that these solutions should 

 have acted in the capacity in question, than that two strata, 

 one consisting of sulphate of magnesia, the other of pure water, 

 should have served as electrodes in an experiment of Faraday, 

 to which I referred, and which he has himself cited in his 

 Chemical Philosophy with all the deference due to the well- 

 known accuracy of the distinguished author. But I beg leave 

 to inquire whether each of the solutions above-mentioned is 

 not a conductor of electricity, whether any two conductors 

 are not competent to act as electrodes, and whether a simul- 

 taneous exposure to electrolysation would deprive them of 

 that competency? 



I remain with esteem, your friend, 



Robert Hare. 



P.S. Allow me to correct an error copied into the Philoso- 

 phical Magazine from my pamphlet. S. 3. vol. xxii. p. 464, 

 paragraph 81, line 4, for cathion read anion. 



