Outlines of a Viixu of Gali'aniftn. 335 



fubftanccs, bv which it is tranfmitted, are of very fmall vo- 

 Kime, it is pofleired of the power of igniting them, and of 

 makincr them enter into combuftion when in contadl with 

 oxvtren *. 



B. The galvanic influence, when liighly concentrated, 

 afl'ecls the electrometer, and is capable of comminiicating 

 weak charsres to the condenfer and Levden phial t- In all 

 compound circles of the firft clafs, the molt oxidable part of 

 the metallic plates evolves the influence, appearing as pofi- 

 tive electricity, whilft the lealt oxidable part fcenis negatively 

 elertrillcd. In the fecond clafs of circles it is, however, 

 probable that this order is reveded. 



C. Galvanifni, moderatelv accumulated, afFcfts the ani- 

 mal organs in nearly the fame manner as common eleftri- 

 city. \\'hen the human body is made part of the circle, a 

 lliock is perceived at the moment of connexion ; and a fub- 

 icquent nunibnefs and tingling fenfation denote the perma- 

 nent circulation of the influence. 



The frefli limbs of froirs undergo violent contractions, and 

 foon lofe their excitability, when placed in the circuit of a 

 powerful battery. 



D. The chen)ical actions taking place in the compound 

 galvanic circle, prercnl curicnis and molt unexampled appear- 

 ances; all the primary chances takingr place in the di'ferent 

 conductors bcino: increafed, and modified to a great extent. 



In all batteries of the firll order, when the connection is 

 completed, changes take place which denote the evolution 

 of influences capable of producing from common water oxygen 

 and hydrogen, acid and alkali, in ditt'erent parts of every 

 ferie:; +. 



Thus, in the battery with feries of zinc plates, filver wires, 

 and common water, oxide of zinc is formed on all the plates 

 of zinc, whiKl hydrogen is produced from the filver wires, 

 and if the water in contadi with them be tinged with red 

 cabbacfe juice, it becomes green §. 



And in the battery with lilver, gold, and weak nitric acid, 

 the filver is diflblved, whiKt the acid becomes green, and 

 llowly evolves ga"? at its points of contact with the gold. 



The chemical agencies exerted in the compound Latteries 

 of the fird clafs, can be belt obfcrved by the fubftitution of 

 fino'le metallic wires for fome of the double plates ; lor, in 

 this cafe, the changes taking place in the feries with wires, 



" ProfejTors Tromsdorf Bockmanii, Fourcroy, and Vauqiiclin. 



+ Mr. NichoKon aini Mr. Cruikfhank. 



X Mr. Nicholfon, Mr. Carliflc, and Mr. Cruikrtiank. 



5 D. 



will 



