Mr. Lane on Electric Conduction in Métal. 231 
tric fluid, from one end to the other, as in t height of flowing 
Hence we should expect that if sapallero points of such a con- 
ductor, however near together, were connected by a second con- 
ductor, of whatever length, a current would at once flow through 
the latter. Accordingly, the poles of an ordinary galvanic bat- 
tery being connected by a good metallic conductor of two or 
three feet length, the current generated in a second conductor 
was made instantly apparent; when it included between its ex- 
tremities not more than a half inch of the battery conductor, 
and the effect, as might be expected, increased in proportion to 
the interval between the extremities of the second conductor. 
This satisfied me that by such experiments as I had proposed, 
the law of conduction could be ascertained with much certainty.* 
2. The law of Lenz embraces two propositions. 
(1.) In a given conductor, the quantity of fluid conducted in a 
given period, is as the intensity, or difference of tension between 
the ends of the conductor. 
(2.) In homogeneous conductors of the same length, and with 
the same difference of tension, the quantity conducted is as the 
section. 
3. To test the truth of the first of these Ry we divide 
the current of one or more wires, among two or more others of 
the same size, and then compare a given length of the former 
Wire or wires, with such length of the latter as shall have the 
same difference of tension. If, for example, part of a galvanic 
circuit be composed of a single wire, and another part of two 
wires of the same kind, and if the difference of tension in a foot 
of the single wire be found equal to the difference of tension in 
two feet of either of the pair, the inference is that each of the 
latter, which conducts half the quantity of the former, requires 
half the intensity. - 
4. To find lengths which have equal differences of tension, 
two methods may be taken. The one will require a galvanome- 
ter having a double coil of two very fine wires of great length, 
so as to conduct a very small quantity, and still act with conside- 
* Becquerel, it appears, entertained the same view of the electric state of a 
conducting wire, and illustrated it by an experiment of precisely the same kind. 
