156 



Phillips, F. L. S., M. G. S. L. and C. Considerably augment- 

 ed by Robert Allan, F. R. S. E., M. G. S. L., &c.—By Robert 

 Allan, Esq. 



The following communication was read : 



On the Action of Voltaic Electricity on Pyroxylic Spirit, 

 and on Solutions in Water, Alcohol, and Ether. By 

 Arthur Connell, Esq. 



The author has found a perfect resemblance to exist between the 

 appearances presented by pyroxylic spirit (Bihydrate of Methyline 

 of Dumas and Peligot) under voltaic agency, and those which he 

 had previously observed in regard to alcohol ; a coincidence which 

 was to be expected, from the interesting analogy existing between 

 these two liquids in other respects. 



The pyroxylic spirit, after three distillations from quicklime, had 

 a specific gravity of 801 at 62° F., and boiled in contact with mer- 

 cury at 140' F., under a pressure of 29.5 inches. The leading 

 facts observed were the following : — 



Minute quantities of acid, alkaline, and saline bodies, when dis- 

 solved with rectified pyroxylic spirit, favoured the voltaic action, 

 by increasing the conducting power of tlie liquid. Wiien it held 

 in solution ^ig of pure potash, and was submitted to the agency of 

 tliirty-.-iix pairs of four-inch plates in a tube with parallel platinum 

 foil poles, hydrogen was given off from the negative pole, while no 

 gas proceeded from the positive pole. A ten thousandth part of 

 potash had a marked effect in promoting this action. 



When the pure spirit was submitted in a similar tube to the 

 agency of seventy-two pairs of four-inch plates, hydrogen was in 

 like manner evolved, although in smaller quantity. 



When th- same electric current was passed through tlie spirit and 

 through water, each holding dissolved jjj; part of potash, the quan- 

 tity of hydrogen evolved from both negative poles was the same. 



Besides the evolution of elastic fluid, there were found in the 

 liquid acted on small quantities of such substances as often result 

 from the oxidation of analogous liquids, such as resinous matter ; 

 and, where the quantity of dissolved potash was considerable, a 

 speedy precipitation of carbonate of potash ensued, the liquid at 

 the same time acquiring a red colour from the formation of resinous 

 matter. 



In the whole circumstances it was concluded, as had been done 



