164 Galvanic Society^ Paris, 



the feeble electrical tensions of the Galvanic pile without 

 having recourse to the condeuser j an instrument variable 

 in its effects, and of which the results are often deceitful. 

 To remedy this inconvenience, different electrometers have 

 been presented to the society, one by M. Volf, and another 

 by count Sternberg" ; but none of these seemed to unite so 

 many advantages as one produced by M. Marechuux, as im- 

 proved by M. Veau-de-Launy. 



Messrs. Nauche, GraperOn, and Baget, have ascertained 

 that the Galvanic action is augmented, in the first place, 

 when the pile is exposed to a high temperature; secondly, 

 wh^n it is plunged into flame, or into oxygen gas, or car- 

 bonic acid gas, Sec; thirdly, they ascertained that the ef- 

 fects of the pile are not transmissible m vacuo*, or that they 

 are then scarcely perceptible even by means of a condenser. 



By analogous experiments M. Edn)ond de Barrey ascer- 

 tained the non-transmission of Galvanism through smoke. 



Naturalists having announced opposite results from their 

 experiments on the conductibility of flame, M. Izam took 

 lip the question anew. He has ascertained that flame in- 

 terposed in the Galvanic chain perceptibly transmits the ef- 

 fects of the pile. This he discovered by its action on frogs. 

 This conductible property is nevertheless very feeble, the 

 frogs being excited in a much m6re lively manner when no 

 flame is interposed. 



The diamond, which several modern chemists regard as 

 pure carbon, is, according to the experiments of M. Brugna- 

 telli, a non-conductor of Galvanism ; although it is ascer- 

 tained, from the labours of M. Curtet, of Brussels, that the 

 oxide of carbon is one of the very best conductors. 



M. Herman, of Berlin, has examined the propertifcs of 

 different substances employed as Galvanic conductors ; and 

 has divided them into insulated bodies, into perfect and im- 



• Mr. W. H. Pcpys ascertained, a considerable time ago, that the action 

 of the pile is augmented by placing it in oxygen, and destroyed when placed 

 in a vacuum; but, instead of th)- effect not being transmissible through a va- 

 cuujn, he has ascertained that the metals may be deflngrated in laci.o. The 

 metals, of course, a"e not oxidated — they are only volatilized, light being 

 given out during the process. — Edit. 



perfect 



