3^8 Outlines of a View of Gdlvan'if7n. 



on each other, are capable of producing gah'anic effec'^?, 

 may be divided into two clafles ". The one clafs comprifes 

 what may be called perfeft conductors, oxidable metallic 

 fubrtanccs and charcoal: the other includes lefs pcrf'cft con- 

 ductors, which arc either oxidated fluids, or iublianees con- 

 taining thefc fluids. 



The fimpleft galvanic arrangements require for their forma- 

 tion at leaft two bodies of the fame clafs and one of a diHerent 

 claG: *. With regard to the form of their aggregation, they 

 muft be fo difpofed, that the bodies of the one clafs niav be 

 in contaft with each other, in one or more points, at tire 

 fame time that they are connected in other dillin6l points 

 with the body of the other clafs. 



§ 2. The fimpic galvanic circles mav be divided into two 

 creneral kinds. 



The lirfl: is formed by two different metallic fubftances, or 

 one metallic fubllance and charcoal, and a ])eeuliar fluid. 



The fecond is compoled by two diHerent fluids and one 

 metallic fnbdance. 



Thus, it plates of zinc and of filvcr be made to touch in 

 one point, and be connected together in other points by a 

 portion of common water or of muriatic acid, a galvanic 

 ilmple circle is formed of the firft order. 



Or if ieparate portions of nitric acid and of water, moiflen- 

 ing pieces of cloth or bibulous paper, be brought in contatt 

 with each other on a fmall fnrface, at the fame time that 

 other furfaees of them are connected with diflerent parts of 

 a plate of tin, a circle of the fecond kind is compofed f. 



§ 3, All arrangements, however, of two conduftors of one 

 clafs with one of the other, are not capable of producing gal- 

 vanic eflecls : and even the powers of adling circles are very 

 dift'crcnt in degree. It appears from all the fa6ls, that 

 chemical changes taking place in fome of the parts of the 

 circle are intimately connected with its agencies. For, 

 though a momentary circulation of galvanic influence may 

 pvifhbly ije produced by the contaft of three diflerent bodies, 

 yet it appears mod likely that the permanent excitation of it 

 depends upon a certain exertion of their chemical affinities. 



The mod powerful circles of the firfl; kind are thofe com- 

 pofed of two folids of difl'ercnt degrees of oxidability, and of 

 a fluid capable of oxidating at leafl; one of the folids %. And, 

 even in the feebleft circles, it appears that fome chemical 

 aAion is uniformly exerted either by oxidating fluids or folu- 

 tions of alkaline fulphurets. 



Thus filver and gold do not appear to evolve galvanic in- 



* ^■ol;a. f D. + Rittcr. 



fiucnce 



