314 "Nezv Eletlrical Experiments 



the conductor, that fparks were drawn from it almoft without 

 interruption. The operators now ohferved with pleafure that 

 this fniall wire, though in complete connection with the 

 conductor, was covered along its whole length with a con- 

 tinued ftrcam of light, and that this light confifted of fmall 

 rays, which iflued from the wire on all fides. The fmaller 

 the wire, the broader was the dream of light. Wire of other 

 metals, of the like diameter, exhibited the fame phcenomena. 



8. Experiments to try whether the evaporation of vege- 

 tables during their being electrified would be increased tvhen 

 the puts containing them -were tnfulated and brought in con- 

 nexion with p'l/itive conductors. — After being expofed to 

 electricity for a quarter of an hour, the lofs of weight by 

 evaporation was found to be in fome i-4th, and in others 

 1.3d more than in the unclectric ftate. It is here poffible, 

 however, that there may be fome deception ; for, as the elec- 

 tric conductor, when not made exactly round, always emits a 

 wind, fo mult the points of the leaves of plants, and confe- 

 quently more evaporaole matter muft be carried off with it. 

 In order to obtain fomething decifive on this fubject, plants 

 without leaves ought to be employed j but thefe evaporate 

 \cry little. 



9. The influence of clcclricitY on the fenjitive plants. — This 

 was proved by Dr. Van Alarum on the Mimoja pudica. He 

 firft expofed the plant to the fun, in order that its leave* 

 might be more expanded, and then applied it at the diftance 

 of two feet from a conduclor positively electrified, and then 

 to one negatively electrified. No effects, however, were pro- 

 duced. Being placed on the conductor, the fmall leaves 

 railed themfelves up a little and expanded, when no fparks 

 were drawn from the conductor; but as foon as fparks were 

 drawn from the conductor, the fmall leaves again fell nearly 

 in the fame manner as the pendulum electrometer. After a 

 few fuch changes they at length began to approach each 

 other, to clofe themfelves up, and to become totally fliut. 

 This rcfult took place alfo in confequence of other kinds of 

 {hocks, and therefore is not to be afcribed exclufivelv to elec- 

 tricity. In other refpects, the plants experienced no other 

 change. 



In 



