Power to Mechanics. 153 



the same time resuming its ordinary course in the other two 

 spirals. 



The movement of the lever, and of the regulator, resulting 

 from this arrangement, is perfectly free. Commencing slowly, 

 it speedily and by degrees acquires the maximum of the velocity 

 which the energy of the currents which produce it allows of, a 

 velocity which is then maintained as equally as the intensity of 

 the current itself, and as long as the electrical influence is pre- 

 served.* 



On the present occasion I shall say nothing concerning some 

 observations I had made upon the employment of various acid 

 and saline solutions, and also of sea-water. 



Much interest is excited by the contemplation of these novel 

 effects of a power, which exhibits itself in a manner so different 

 from that seen in most other bodies ; and we are almost tempted 

 to anticipate flattering results from those ulterior applications, to 

 which the management of this mysterious agent may lead.+ 



The dimensions of the apparatus just described are very in- 

 considerable, and such that the current arising from fifteen 

 plates, 9 inches square, can produce the movement. The elec- 

 tro-dynamic cylinders, which principally determine the limits of 

 the mechanical effect, are 4 inches in length, and about half an 

 inch in diameter ; they are surrounded by a spiral thread 130 

 feet long, of the thickness of about the fiftieth of an inch. The 

 lever is of wood ; the superior and inferior arms are respective- 

 ly of the lengths of 14 and 3 inches; the extent of the oscilla- 

 tions is 15 degrees. In fine, the regulator weighs about 5 

 pounds, and the entire weight of the whole is about 11 pounds. 



Considerations, which readily offer themselves on a compari- 

 son of the maximum magneto-mechanic effect of this apparatus, 



• There is a great similarity, botli as it regards the general arrangement 

 of the apparatus and the nature of the moving pnnci])le, between the mecha- 

 nism of M. Botto and the electrical clock of M. Zamboni. This clock is put 

 in motion by a pendulum, which is alternately attracted and repelled by the 

 poles of two dry galvanic piles, which are known under the name of Zambo- 

 ni's piles. 



f The Chevaliers Avogrado and Bidare, who have both seen the ajipa- 

 ratus in movement, have given expression to their surprise, not so much on 

 account of the novelty of the fact, as on account of the speculations it sug- 

 gested to those able men, respecting the general connection whicli might sub- 

 sist between this simple result and the progress of science and mechanism. 



