220 REPORT— 1840. 
trolyte can hardly fail acting a most important part in the 
household of nature; and it is not impossible that the elec- 
trical phenomena taking place within our atmosphere, the real 
cause of which is still covered in darkness, are closely con- © 
nected with the workings of our presumed compound. 
The fact of philosophers having not yet had the slightest notion 
of the existence of such a body is, I presume, no argument against 
its existence. If we suppose the electrolyte in question to be 
a substance closely resembling water in its chemical and phy- 
sical properties, and existing in the latter fluid as well as in the 
atmosphere, only in very small quantities, it is easily conceiv- 
able why its existence has not hitherto been observed. I 
readily allow, however, that many researches, many experi- 
ments, must still be made before we arrive at certain results, at 
complete certainty, regarding the subject of ozone. Convinced 
as Iam of its great scientific importance, I shall not fail de- 
voting all my leisure time to its close investigation, and to 
sifting a matter to the bottom which promises to yield so rich 
a harvest of results. I should feel indeed very proud, if the 
British Association would honour me with the charge to pre- 
sent them an account of my researches next year. 
It would be not right if’I did not expressly state, before 
finishing my paper, that I owe most of the results above men- 
tioned to a pile constructed upon my friend Mr. Grove’s prin- 
ciple, an arrangement which cannot be too highly thought of. 
C. F. ScHONBEIN, 
Bale, August 2, 1840. 
