462 Dr. Hare’s Observations on the Electrolysis of Salts, 
and sulphuric acid. This he considers as involving the necessity, 
agreeably to the old doctrine, of the simultaneous decomposition of 
two electrolytic atoms in the solution, for one in the voltameter ; 
while, if the solution be considered as holding oxysulphionide of 
sodium, instead of sulphate of soda, the result may be explained con- 
sistently with the law ascertained by Faraday. In that case, oxy- 
sulphion would be carried to the anode, where, combining with hy- 
drogen, it would cause oxygen to be extricated, while sodium, car- 
ried to the cathode, and deoxidizing water, would cause the extrica- 
tion of hydrogen. 
** 68. Dr. Kane, alluding to the experiments above mentioned, 
and some others which I shall mention, alleges that ‘ Professor Daniell 
considers the binary theory of salts to be fully established by them.’ 
** 69. Notwithstanding the deference which I have for the distin- 
guished inventor of the constant battery, and disinclination for the 
unpleasant task of striving to prove a friend to be in the wrong, 
being of opinion that these inferences are erroneous, I feel it to be my 
duty as a teacher of the science, to show that they are founded upon 
a misinterpretation of the facts appealed to for their justification. 
«70. It appears to me, that the simultaneous appearance of the 
elements of water, and of acid and alkali, at the electrodes, as above 
stated, may be accounted for, simply by that electrolyzation of the 
soda, which must be the natural consequence of the exposure of the 
sulphate of that base in the circuit. I will, in support of the ex- 
position which I am about to make, quote the language of Professor 
Daniell, in his late work, entitled ‘ Introduction to Chemical Phi- 
losophy,’ page 413 :— 
««« Thus we may conceive that the force of affinity receives an 
impulse which enables the hydrogen of the first particle of water, 
which undergoes decomposition, to combine momentarily with the 
oxygen of the next particle in succession ; the hydrogen of this again, 
with the oxygen of the next; and so on till the last particle of hy- 
drogen communicates its impulse to the platinum, and escapes in 
its own elastic form.’ 
«71. The process here represented as taking place in the in- 
stance of the oxide of hydrogen, takes place, of course, in that of 
any other electrolyte. 
«72. It is well known, that when a fixed alkaline solution is sub- 
jected to the voltaic current, the alkali, whether soda or potassa, 
is decomposed; so that if mercury be used for the cathode, the 
nascent metal, being protected by uniting therewith, an amalgam is 
formed. If the cathode be of platinum, the metal, being unpro- 
tected, is, by decomposing water, reconverted into an oxide as soon 
as evolved. This shows, that when a salt of potassa or soda is sub- 
jected to the voltaic current, it is the alkali which is the primary ob- 
ject of attack, the decomposition of the water being a secondary re- 
sult. 
“ 73. If ina row of the atoms of soda, extending from one elec- 
trode to the other, while forming the base of a sulphate, a series of 
electrolytic decompositions be induced from the cathode on the right, 
