Method of fit ting vp Mr, Jbe Luc*s Electric Column, SOY 



with the same kind of electricity as that end of the rod pos- 

 sessed : — the same effect was perceived when charged by the 

 zinc pole. 



One leaf of an electrometer (Dutch leaf) moveJ, 



when one of the balls on the rod was placed over the top, 

 without being in contact with it. 



15ih Oct. The ivory needle vibrated between the balls oF 

 two rods, one of which was at the zinc pole, the other at 

 the opposite pole. 



One column which I have made, consists of about 50O 

 plates, each about ^th of an inch in diameter, I have put at 

 the zinc end a piece of cork cut Hke the head of a snake of 

 eel, and at the other end anmher to resemble a tail. Thi* 

 column may be called an artiticial electric eel (Gijmnotus 

 electricus) : it is not inserted ii> a tube Hke the others, ai 

 silken string runs through the centre of the plates, which 

 may be drawn tight ; then womid round a pin which is m 

 the mouth, or may be loosened if desirable. This eel act* 

 powerfully on the electrometers. The power appears to me 

 to vary much more than that of the columns in tuixes : pro- 

 videtl the outside of these tubes be dry, I do not know thar 

 the strength of their electric power changes, 



18th Oct. Three rods, each of 50Q series, were supported 

 apon insulated stands, and a plate of copper suspended afe 

 the silver pole of the combined apparatus ; another plate was 

 placed under this, (as in the common electrical experiment 

 of the dancing images,) one very small piece (or more) of 

 tissue-paper was attracted up and fell down, and a little 

 image of the same paper reared up, and once remained sus 

 pendeJ to the upper plate, but I could not make it dance 

 up and down. 



22d Oct. One ball or both ? of Cavallo'^s pocket electro^ 

 meter diverged, when three rods were combined ; the pith* 

 balls are on wires. With th^se three rods I could not per- 

 ceive the metallic taste in the mouth, whidi is so perceptible 

 even with a single piece of zinc and silver placed against the- 

 tongue. When the ball or baits ? of the electrometer moved^ 

 the opposite end of the apparatus was touched. A small 

 pith-ball, suspended I believe with 2bsingh thread of a silk- 

 worm, vibrated between two fixed pith- balls, one of which 

 was connected with the apj>aratus, the other communicated 

 with the tabfe. 



ead Oct. A coated jar had a shght charsje ffiven to it 

 with one of the electric rods. When the zii^c pole charged 

 the inside of the jar, that side gave signs of a iJiirms- stare 

 (a<i it ts called), and the outside a p/wi state. This was shown; 



bv 



