THE ELECTROLYSIS OF WATER. 105 
quence, and this in proportion to the mechanical 
power obtained.* 
6th. Electricity may be regarded as-a grand 
agent for carrying, arranging, and converting 
chemical heat. Suppose two of Daniell’s cells 
in series to be connected, by thick wires, with 
platinized plates immersed in dilute sulphuric acid. 
Owing to the near balance of affinities, very little 
free heat will be evolved, per equivalent of che- 
mical action, in any part of the circuit; and that 
little will be equivalent to the difference of the 
intensity of the battery and the intensity due to 
the electrolysis of water, or to 2—1:35—=0°65, if 
we do not regard the heat arising from secondary 
action in the battery. But then a great transfer 
of latent heat, equal to 8°°27 per equivalent, will 
take place from the battery to the electrolytic 
cell; and this by the immediate agency of the 
current. Again, if a large battery be connected 
by thick conducting wires with a coil of very thin 
wire, nearly the whole of the heat due to the 
chemical changes taking place in the battery will 
be evolved by that coil, while the battery itseif 
remains cool. 
*Iam preparing for experiments to test the accuracy of 
this proposition. Feb. 18th. J. P. J. 
