Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 543 



obtained (by tbe means above described) by a connecting-rod and 

 crank from one end of the piston-rod, or by other suitable means of 

 communicating power from a piston, may be employed. From the 

 above description it will be understood that great power may be ob- 

 tained from a series of electro-magnets, each attracting its keeper or 

 armature, and consequently moving the piston through only a small 

 space ; and such power being exerted over a large area of piston, moving 

 a fluid and forcing it into a cylinder of smaller diameter, will cause 

 the piston of that second cylinder to be moved through a longer 

 stroke in proportion to the different capacities of the cylinders, and 

 the piston of the second cylinder will consequently be moved at a 

 greater speed than that in the larger cylinder, and the pressure per 

 square inch on the smaller piston will be the same as that on the 

 greater piston. All which will be readily understood by a workman 

 acquainted with the pressure of fluids put in motion by one piston, 

 and caused to act on another ; and it will be at once perceived that 

 the action will be the reverse of that in Bramah's Press, wherein the 

 water is put in motion by the power used acting on a piston or 

 plunger of comparatively small diameter, and the water is caused to 

 act on and to move a piston of much larger diameter. Whereas, in 

 the present invention, a series of electro-magnets are caused to act 

 in succession on a bar or instrument, as above explained, in such 

 manner that when combined with a comparatively large piston the 

 power will, by driving or forcing the water or fluid with a cylinder 

 of less diameter and of greater length, cause the piston therein to be 

 moved with less power, but with greater speed. And it will at once 

 be understood that the power obtained will depend on the effort 

 each magnet is capable of exerting ; for it will be evident that the 

 actual force which is kept up to and given off from the piston in the 

 small cylinder will be equivalent to that exerted by one of the 

 magnets, in attracting or drawing its armature through a compara- 

 tively small space. — Repertory of Patent Inventions, February 1852. 



ELECTRO-CHEMICAL RESEARCHES ON THE PROPERTIES OF ELEC- 

 TRIFIED BODIES. BY MM. FREMY AND BECQTJEREL. 



For several years the attention of chemists and physicists has been 

 directed to the very remarkable modifications which certain bodies 

 present when submitted to the action of a moderate temperature. 

 We know that, under this influence, sulphur and phosphorus acquire 

 new properties. We propose to investigate whether electricity, like 

 heat, can change the physical and chemical properties of different 

 bodies. We must examine, in the first place, into the singular 

 effects presented by oxygen in various circumstances, and referred to 

 the formation of what has been called ozone ; this body appears to be 

 produced in all cases in which oxygen is submitted to the influence 

 of electricity. 



Without wishing to cast doubt upon the sagacity of those who 

 have examined into the properties of ozone, it cannot be denied that 

 there still exists great uncertainty in the minds of chemists and phi- 

 losophers as to the interpretation of the phenomena observed ; we 



