On the Fkcenomena of Electricity. 39 



&nd counterairrent as exhibited by the discharge of an electric 

 sphere. In reverting to these phaenomena, I would be under- 

 stood as referring particularly to the wires deposited upon cards 

 with interveiiirny patches of tinfoil, and the opposing balls ol- 

 soured with China ink. I have now the pleasure to adduce an 

 additional illustration on the same side. In this experiment I 

 employed the electrical forceps with its insulated stand, de- 

 scribed in a late number of your Journal, a very good sub- 

 stitute for an universal discharger. Here one of the joints of 

 the instrument was attached to the outside of the charged elec- 

 tric, and the other connected with the insulated discharger. 

 A ball made of the pith of elder (about half an inch diameter) 

 was placed in opposition, in contact with each end of the pla- 

 tina wires, the distance between the points varjnng from two to 

 four inches and an half; when the discharge was made the balls 

 were propelled in opposite directions, and when i;nodified, they 

 exchanged sides. 



The propulsion of a pith ball Introduced in evidence of a cur- 

 rent from the charged to the opposite side is thus proved to be 

 inconclusive. If we except the divergence and convergence of 

 radii from opposing electricities, the inclination of the flame of a 

 candle is the only experiment which can give the least colour to 

 the theory of a maximum and minimum electricity. As to the 

 unipolarity (as it is called) of the flame from this source, it is 

 a well sounding word, but void of meaning, considered with 

 regard to the view it is meant to establish ; for it can, if I ap- 

 prehend aright, receive a fairer and more philosophical elucida- 

 tion from considering the phaenomena displayed in the Voltaic 

 circle, viewed in connexion with the recent experiments of Mr. 

 Brande, Here it may be said, that the flame generating car- 

 bonic acid gas, ought to be attracted by the charged surface 

 (pos.) ; whereas it is the reverse — my opinion is decidedly 

 against this view. So long as it inflame, it is merely carbon in 

 the act of dissolving in oxygen, for such is its constitution. It 

 is 7iot of an acid nature, but carbonous oxide, for carbonic acid 

 gas is uninflammable, though charcoal and carbonic oxide (a 

 gaseous body) be combustible. It becomes not carbonic add 

 gas until ejected beyond the sp/iere of fame, when being sub- 

 jected to a, father exposure relative to atmospheric air, it be- 

 comes acid by abstracting an additional portion of oxygenous 

 gas. 



Light and electrical phaenomena appear analogous: both are 

 material. I know that this has been denied to the first of these, 

 but the momentum of light as proved by the experiment of 

 Mr. Mitchell, in that projected against a delicate plane of cop- 

 ))er, from a reflecting speculum, strongly sujjports the opinion ; 



C 4 !ind 



