408 
mixed oxygen and hydrogen, which result from the decompo- 
sition of a grain of water, there be electricity concealed equal 
to 240 millions of one-inch sparks, when the mixture is de- 
tonated, so as to recompose water, a flash of lightning and 
clap of thunder ought to be the consequence, instead of the 
little bright flame and the trivial crack which occur. 
But it is not merely this immense quantity of electricity 
that is unaccounted for. Professor Faraday conceives that the 
electricity which holds the elements of a grain of water in com- 
bination, enormous as its quantity is affirmed to be, can only 
be overcome, during decomposition, by an equal quantity of 
electricity. What then becomes of this second portion ? 
What has become of the first? We have not been able to 
discover traces of either. No less than 480 millions of one- 
inch sparks are concerned in the decomposition of one grain or 
drop of water, and we can find no account of any portion of 
them. 
Mr. Donovan thus concludes this portion of his paper : 
** I conceive that the rules of discussion warrant my running 
this hypothesis as closely to the impossible as I can. The 
higher the authority, the stronger must be the argument to 
give it any chance ofsuccess. It is on this account that I 
take the liberty of reasoning thus freely on the opinions of so 
celebrated a philosopher.” 
The President and Dr. Apjohn made some remarks on 
Mr. Donovan’s communication, in opposition to his views, 
and confirmatory of the received doctrine of the identity of 
electricity from different sources. 
DONATIONS. 
A Silver Hiberno-Danish Coin and a Bronze Celt, found at 
Newington, County Kildare. Presented by James Forbes, Esq. 
The Twenty-sizth Report of the Leeds Philosophical So- 
ciety, for 1845-6. Presented by the Society. 
