6+ Ttoyal Society. 



induction froni a magnet, this state of the wire is not analogous to 

 that of tlie inducing wire; for whatever may be the permanent state 

 of the wire under induction while the voltaic circuit is complete, or 

 the magnetic contact is unbroken, so long as either of these conti- 

 nues, there is no evidence of any change having taken place in it, 

 and its change of state is only rendered manifest at the instant of in- 

 terrupting the circuit or the contact, and at that of again renewing 

 them ; impulsive forces being brought into action at either instant, 

 but in contrary directions in the two cases. 



The author observes, that this peculiar condition shows ho known 

 electrical eflects whilst it continues, nor has he yet been able to dis- 

 cover any peculiar powers possessed by matter whilst retained in this 

 state ; that no re-action is shown by attractive or repulsive powers ; 

 that no retarding or accelerating power is exerted upon electric cur- 

 rents passing through luetal in the electro-tonic state, that is, the 

 conducting power is not altered by it ; that all metals take on this 

 peculiar state ; that the electro-tonic state is altogether the effect of 

 the induction excited, and ceases with the inductive power ; that 

 this state appears to be instantly assumed, the force brought into 

 action at the instant of its assumption being merely impulsive. 



The author considers that the current of electricity which induces 

 the electro-tonic state in a neighbouring wire, probably induces that 

 state also in its own wire, and that this may be the case with fluids 

 and all other conductors ; and concludes that if it be so, it must in- 

 fluence voltaic decomposition and the transference of tlie elements 

 to the poles. Should facts be found to accord with these views, we 

 consider the author fully justified in his anticipations of the impor- 

 tance of his discovery as applicable to the decomposition of matter, 

 and we certainly feel that tlie discovery could not have been made 

 by any one more likely to decide this question, or more able to avail 

 himself of a new principle of decomposition when discovered. 



In the series of actions proceeding fromtlie voltaic battery which 

 this discovery exhibits to us, a very curious succession is observable. 

 Volta-electricity passes along the connecting wire of the battery, 

 electro-magnetism at right angles to it. By this means the cylinder 

 of soft iron, within the helix into which the connecting wire is formed, 

 becomes a magnet. If the poles of the magnet be joined by an iron 

 bar, ordinary magnetism passes along this bar, but magneto-electri- 

 city is induced at right angles to it in a helix wound round it. And 

 again, magneto-electricity is propelled along the wire, and magnetism 

 is induced in a steel bar at right angles. This bar may again induce 

 magneto-electricity in a wire at riglit angles to it, by which another 

 bar may become magnetic ; and soon, showing a repetition of simi- 

 lar powers successively brought into action, but their efficiency at 

 each step greatlv diminislied. ^ '. ,' ' .' . 



The effects hitherto described were dul^'t'o k'm6Wi^in£% a'<^i'? 

 in order to obtain continuous action the authof applied the principle 

 of circular motion. For this purpose a thick copper disc was made 

 to revolve near the magnet, so that a portion near its edge passed 

 between the ends of two bars of iron which concentrated and ap- 



