442 Dr. Fitton's Notes on the Histoiy of English Geology. 



the energy of the latter, that I could act with success on 

 larger quantities. 



Two platinum wires as conductors were fixed by cement in 

 two holes made in the side of a small glass ; the latter was 

 then filled with water, made a better conductor by a few drops 

 of solution of soda, and inverted in a vessel filled with the same 

 fluid. The communication was then completed, between the 

 platinum conductors, and the extremities ofthe rods connected 

 with the magneto-electric spiral, and the apparatus was 

 woi'ked. So soon as the successive detaching and attaching 

 action began, the divellent forces ofthe platinum poles became 

 evident, and an infinity of gaseous bubbles rose from them in 

 the form and appearance of two columns of vapour : in a short 

 time these being collected in the top of the glass, produced 

 a portion of oxygen and hydrogen capable of causing a sensi- 

 ble detonation. 



The pha?nomena became even more interesting, when the 

 evolution of the two gases was observed through a powerful 

 lens; the bubbles succeeding each other the more vigorously 

 as the alternate action of the magneto-electrometer is more 

 rapid. My colleague Professor Michelotte, to whom I com- 

 municated these results, wished me to produce them at the 

 Cabinet of Philosophy in the University, where the experi- 

 ment was repeated under his own eyes. 



I shall refrain from describing at present other results ob- 

 tained by attempting the solutions of various metallic salts : 

 in general the analogy between the effects produced and those 

 ofthe hydro-electric currents appeared perfect; at least when 

 due regard was given to the continuity of these, and to 

 the intermitting and fugacious natiu-e of the magneto-electric 

 currents; — to the constant direction ofthe former, and the al- 

 ternate opposition of the latter. At present it is not easy to 

 predict by what the means of exciting and increasing the 

 chemical efficacy of the magneto-electric powers will be li- 

 mited ; but it is certain that such a character, highly inter- 

 esting as it is in the philosophy of imponderable agents, de- 

 serves to fix the attention of men of science. 



Turin, Oct, 12, 1832. 



LXXX. Notes on the History of English Geology. By 

 William Henry Fitton, M.D. F.R.S. S(c. 



?Ee [Continued from p. 275.] 



TN this enumeration of authors, which we have now brought 

 -■^ down to the period when Geology, as a branch of inductive 

 science, may be said to have had its birth in England, we have 



