97 



mixed with a small quantity of atmospheric air derived from the 

 liquid. The alcohol, after the action, was found to contain a mi- 

 nute quantity of resinous matter. 



The effect of the presence of minute quantities of foreign sub- 

 stances is to increase the conducting power, as is shewn by an in- 

 creased action on the galvanometer. The alcohol is thus rendered 

 more easily decomposable. 



The action in these cases is conceived to consist in the voltaic 

 decomposition of water contained in the alcohol, apparently as 

 a constituent, when absolute alcohol is acted on ; the hydrogen be- 

 ing evolved at the negative pole, and the oxygen being absorbed 

 by the fluid, conformably to those instances of absorption of oxy- 

 gen which are known to occur in the case of the acetous fermenta- 

 tion, in that of an alcoholic solution of potash exposed to the air, 

 and in other instances. The formation of carbonic acid during the 

 voltaic action corresponds to that of acetic and formic acids in the 

 other instances alluded to, but shews a more powerful oxidation. 



The positive gas could, in certain circumstances, be made to ap- 

 pear in addition to the negative, as, by diluting the alcohol with an 

 equal bulk of water, or by dissolving yi^ of potash in alcohol of 

 sp. gr. .840 ; and also by arrangements producing certain electrical 

 effects, as by reversing the battery after it had been some time in 

 action, and also by performing the experiment in metal vessels in- 

 stead of those of glass or porcelain. 



When alcohol, sp. gr. .796, holding a minute quantity of potash 

 dissolved, was compared with water holding the same quantity of 

 potash in solution, by passing the same current of electricity 

 through both solutions, in the arrangement called by Mr Faraday 

 the Volta-electrometer, it was found that the same quantity of gas 

 was evolved from both negative poles, showing that in both solu- 

 tions water was the subject of decomposition. The conclusion from 

 the whole is, that water, as such, enters into the constitution of 

 alcohol. 



Pure ether, rectified over chloride of calcium, was exposed to 

 the action of 216 pairs of 4-inch plates, without the slightest 

 symptom of decomposition, or action on a galvanometer, consist- 

 ing of a single magnetic needle 7 inches long, in the centre of 30 

 circuits of insulated copper-wire. Neither was it decomposed when 

 it held coiTosive sublimate, chloride of platinum, or chromic acid, 

 in solution. The author therefore concludes, that ether does not 

 contain water as a constituent. 



Assuming it to be proved that alcohol is a hydrate, the author 



