a 
ae 
TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 49 
Observed that, instead of a current flowing from the less oxidable metals (Cu+4Sn) 
into the more oxidable (Zn), there was a strong current flowing from the xine into the 
copper and tin plates buried at C, 
This unlooked-for current, by stopping the source of his motive power (for there 
was no battery-power to be used in these experiments), forcibly diverted his attention 
from the original experiments, to the examination of this new and curious phenomenon. 
He accordingly endeavoured, by enlarging the number of the stations, &c., and espe- 
cially by using wooden boxes or porous earthen vessels buried in the ground and open 
at the top, and plates of the same metal, numbered for identification, and interchanged 
as frequently as possible, to obtain some rudiments of laws for these curious currents, 
Owing to the difficulties of the experiments, and the incompleteness of the apparatus, 
the following results are presented merely as agreeing with the general tenor of the 
observations, and affording a basis for laws to be deduced from more extended and 
accurate experiments. 
1, There will be, almost always, a current flowing along an insulated wire, joining 
two plates of the same metal, similarly buried in the surface of the earth. 
2. The direction and strength of this current depend upon the time of the day, the 
season, the year, &c., and seem to be functions of the azimuth of the straight line 
joining the centres of the buried plates. 
3. The strength of the current seems also to be a function of the length of this 
straight line. ° 
4. There will generally be at least one neutral line in which buried plates will be 
inactive ; this line the author thinks the magnetic meridian of the place will be found 
to be. 
5. As to the sign of the current along the wire, the author is quite ata loss to 
account for its very curious changes from one time to another; nor, knowing its sign 
at any one moment in the wire, can he say what is most likely to be its sign at that 
moment in the earth, not having been able to complete a series of chemical experi- 
ments begun for that purpose, 
; Dunsink Garden, Scale q+5. Slope to Southward about 4°. 
oNo,1 
No. 8 
Ww 
Vo Caza, s—u Trott Garten’ Back Garden. 
i 
Metals buried at A, B, C, D; April 20, 1857. 
Brass at A and B, 
Copper + about 2 Tin, at C. 
Tin at D, 
