On some new Electro-chemical Phcpnormna. 129 



.which interfere with the inferences suggested by the above state- 

 ment. 



To insure accuracv, each of the experiment's was several tlrrxe.'} 

 repeated in the presence and witn the assistavxe of some of my 

 cheiiiical friends, and the results were uuifonn when proper pre- 

 cautions were attended to. It is especially necessary to operate 

 in a quiet attuosjjhere, and to employ a feeble electrical power j 

 for, if the machine is too strongly excited, tr.e sub-.lances under 

 examination arc alternately attracted and repelled between the 

 poles, especially if insulated, or non-conductors of electricity. 

 The balls were usually withdrawn from each other to a distance 

 of four inches, and the subject of experiment placed equidistant 

 between them. The poles too were occasionally changed, by 

 moving the connecting wires from one bail to the other, with a 

 view to insure correctness by observing the change thus pro- 

 duced in tlie direction of the ilame or vapour. 



The experiments were sometimes varied, by using the Leyden 

 jar with a sliding electrometer connected with its outer surface : 

 the substance, the electricity of which was to be examined, was 

 placed between the ball of the charged jar and that of the elec- 

 trometer. 



Regarding these experiments as connected with electro-che- 

 mical theory, they appear to furnish a more evident proof than 

 has hitherto been offered, of tlie inlierent electrical states of 

 matter, which are decidedly exhibited by the attractions and re- 

 pulsions between the opposite poles ; and v/hen connected with 

 Dr. Wollaston's researches, to which 1 have elsewhere alluded, 

 they amply demonstrate the identity in chemical powers of com- 

 mon and Voltaic electricity. 



The attraction of acids by the positively electrified surface, 

 and of alkalies and inflammables by that which is negatively elec- 

 trified, is thus easily exhibited ; and the theory which regards 

 their nnitual attractive energies, as dependent upon their op- 

 posite electrical states, confirmed by experiments not less deci- 

 sive than those in which the Voltaic instrument was employed. 



Of the former class, phosphorus in slow and in rajjid coin- 

 bustion, and benzoic acid, furnish the most striking instances ; 

 and of the latter, the combustion of potassium and of camphor 

 are excellent examjiles. 



There are, however, some circumstances which appear difficult 

 to cx|)lain, and which have not turned out as might have been 

 expected a priori. The combustion, for instance, of carburetted 

 hydrogen gives rise to the production of water and carbonic acid, 

 but its flame is entirely and powerfully attracted by tlie negative 

 surface; and carboruc oxide, which produces carbonic acid, is 



Vol. 44. No. 19(i. August 1814. f not 



