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The central zinc plate was half the size of those at the extremes, 

 and they were gradually increased on both sides ; each copper plate 

 being equal to the zinc opposed to it. When 1 first tried the bat- 

 tery, it fused a wire equivalent to the size of the extreme plates ; 

 but, as I never obtained a similar result, I must conclude, that this 

 was a deception ; for the power of the apparatus, whether estimated 

 by flision or decomposition, did not exceed that of a series of plates 

 equal to the least in it. It remains to apologize for obtruding on 

 the Academy these remarks in their present imperfect state. I could 

 wish to have prosecuted the subject further ; but, 1 trust, that, even 

 at present, they may be found not unworthy of acceptance. To me 

 at least the information, which they convey, is new ; and, if they 

 should excite others to come forward in a similar manner, I shall 

 conceive, that they have not been penned in vain. The quantity 

 of knowledge which is lost to the world by the reserve of individuals, 

 who are reluctant to publish any thing unfinished or unconnected, is 

 deplorable. No person ever ranged in the course of Experimental 

 Philosophy, who has not found some fact unnoticed by others, some- 

 thing peculiar to reward him for his labour. How many interest- 

 ing details would have been unknown to us, had not Wollaston 

 been a friend of the editors of certain periodical works ! How many 

 important discoveries are buried in the grave of Tennant ! Nor is 

 this true only of the stars of the Chemical sky ; and he who knows 

 a single fact in Physics, which is not generally known, is wanting 

 in his duty to science and mankind, if he withhold it either through 

 indolence or modesty. 



